(a) Within any establishment, any and all cages, pens or enclosures (hereinafter referred to as “enclosures”), being utilized to house dogs, shall be maintained in a sanitary and humane condition so as to protect the health and well-being of the animals housed and shall conform to the following.
(1) All primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained to provide sufficient space for each dog to move freely about, turn fully around, stand fully erect and sit and lie down in a normal, comfortable position. When an animal becomes too large for its cage, it shall be promptly transferred to a cage that provides sufficient space as defined above.
(2) The floors of the enclosure shall be constructed so as to protect the animal’s feet and legs from injury. The enclosures may have wire or grid flooring if the gauge of the wire or grid material is an adequate size to support the animal and prevent sagging under its weight and if the mesh openings are of suitable size for the age and species of the animal. Wire or grid flooring shall have mesh openings of such size as to prevent the animal’s feet from passing through the openings.
(3) The temperature of the enclosure shall be maintained at a level to protect the animal’s health.
(4) The enclosure shall be constructed as to provide protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, snow and sun.
(5) Both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall provide animals adequate light, whether natural or artificial.
(6) Enclosures shall be maintained in a sanitary way so as to prevent the spread of disease and to protect the health of the animal.
(b) Food that is nutritional and free from contamination or disease shall be provided at least once a day unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. Water shall be provided at least once a day unless otherwise specified by a veterinarian. Food and water shall be provided in spill-resistant dishes or receptacles, or self-feeders may be used. All receptacles used to feed dogs shall be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
(c) As appropriate for their age and health, dogs shall be removed from their enclosures at least once a day for an extended period of at least one-half hour for exercise either in an outside pen or an enclosed pen providing appropriate space and conditions for the dog to run about, unless a veterinarian recommends otherwise or if weather conditions prohibit the exercise of dogs in an outdoor facility.
(d) Dogs being kept primarily for breeding purposes shall not be bred in such a way so as to endanger their own health as determined by a veterinarian.
(e) Breeding kennels shall be kept in compliance with 9 C.F.R. part 3 (relating to standards), as applicable to enclosures.
(Ord. 739, passed 7-19-1995)