(A) A person having charge or custody of an animal shall not place or confine such animal or allow such animal to be placed or confined in a motor vehicle or trailer under such conditions or for such a period of time as may endanger the health of the animal due to heat, lack of food or water, or such other circumstances as may cause injury or death of the animal.
(B) It is presumed that an animal’s health, safety, or welfare is endangered when the animal is confined in a parked or standing vehicle, without the engine running or climate control system engaged, or in a trailer for a period of five minutes or more when the ambient outside air temperature measures above 80°F or below 35°F.
(C) An animal services officer or police officer finding an animal being held in violation of this provision may cite the owner for violating this chapter, obtain a search warrant pursuant to state or Federal law, or use reasonable force to remove an animal from the vehicle whenever it appears the animal’s health or safety is, or soon will be endangered.
(D) The rescued animal shall be impounded and held pending a hearing. It shall be the responsibility of the animal’s owner to repair any damage caused by the removal of the animal from the dangerous situation by the animal services officer or police officer.
(Ord. 09-2016-47, passed 9-27-16
; Am. Ord. 07-2021-32, passed 7-13-21
)