Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “dog catcher” means a person authorised by a licensing authority to seize dogs; “dog licence” means a licence to keep a dog or dogs in a town issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act by the licensing authority for that town; “licensing authority” means, in the case of Belize City, the Belize City Council; San Pedro, the San Pedro Town Council; Caye Caulker, the Caye Caulker Village Council; St. George’s Caye, the St. Georges Caye Community; Council; Belmopan, the Belmopan City Council, and in the case of any other town, the Town Council responsible for administering that town; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Local Government. “town” means any of the following towns, cities, villages or communities, (a) Belize City, the City of Belmopan, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Dangriga, San Ignacio and Santa Elena, and Punta Gorda; (b) Benque Viejo del Carmen, and San Pedro; 5 (c) Caye Caulker, and St. George’s Caye; and (d) any other place which the Minister may, from time to time, by Order published in the Gazette, declare to be a town for the purpose of this Act; (2) For the purposes of this Act, any person in whose custody, charge, or possession, or upon whose premises any dog is found or seen shall be deemed to keep and to be the owner of that dog, unless the contrary is proved.