[Part III.] DANGEROUS DOGS
[§711-1140] Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
"Animal control authority" means a county agency that enforces animal control laws.
"Bite injury" means any contact between an animal's mouth and teeth and the skin of a bite victim that causes visible trauma, such as a puncture wound, laceration, or other piercing of the skin.
"Bodily injury" has the same meaning as defined in section 707-700.
"Dangerous dog" means any dog that, without provocation, causes a bite injury to a person or another animal. A dog's breed shall not be considered in determining whether it is dangerous.
"Escape-proof kennel" means a kennel:
"Microchip" has the same meaning as defined in section 143-1.
"Negligently" has the same meaning as set forth in section 702-206(4).
"Officer" means any sheriff, deputy, and any member of a police force and animal control officers of the several counties of the State.
"Owner" means any person owning, harboring, or keeping a dog; provided that, if the owner is a minor under the age of eighteen years, the parents, guardian, or another person having the care, custody, or control of the minor shall be presumed to be the owner; provided further that the person whose current contact information is registered with a microchip registration company shall be presumed to be the owner of the dog.
"Provocation" means behavior that precipitates a bite injury caused by a dog under the following circumstances:
"Serious bodily injury" has the same meaning as defined in section 707-700.
"Serious injury to any animal" means physical injury to an animal involving a broken bone, concussion, laceration requiring multiple stitches, or tearing or rupture of an organ.
"Substantial bodily injury" has the same meaning as defined in section 707-700. [L 2024, c 224, pt of §2]