(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to maliciously molest, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat in any manner, mutilate, kill, wound, maim, disfigure, injure, poison, burn or scald with any substance, drown, abandon, or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare, any animal, or to cause or procure such action. The words TORTURE and TORMENT shall be held to include every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted; but the terms shall not be construed to prohibit the lawful taking of animals under the jurisdiction and regulation of the Wildlife Resources Commission, nor to prohibit the animal control officers, or persons duly authorized by the Health Director or veterinarians, from destroying dangerous, unwanted, or injured animals in a humane manner, nor to prohibit the lawful use of animals for scientific research.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to, in any manner, tease, annoy, disturb, molest, or irritate an animal that is confined to the owner’s premises.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper to fail to provide his or her animal(s), or an animal entrusted to his or her care, with proper shelter and protection from the weather, sufficient and wholesome food and water to keep his or her animals, or an animal entrusted to his or her care, in good health and comfort, with the opportunity for vigorous daily exercise, humane care, veterinary treatment and care when needed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, injury, or suffering.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, chain, or fasten any animal in a manner so as to permit it to be upon any public sidewalk or street, or to leave it unattended while tethered, chained, or fastened on public property. It shall be unlawful to tether, chain, or fasten an animal in a manner so as to cause it injury or pain, or not permit it to reach shelter, food, and water.
(E) Tethers shall be fastened to a collar (not choke chain or pinch collar) or harness on the animal, and snapped to a D-Ring on the collar or harness. The tether must have a swivel at the collar to prevent entanglement and shall be of appropriate length and weight for the size of the animal, as determined by the Health Director, or his or her designee.
(Ord. passed 10-6-2008) Penalty, see § 90.999