A. Standard of Animal Care: Owners shall provide their animals the minimum standard of care set forth in this Section. Every owner shall provide the animal with sufficient food, water and shelter according to the following minimum standards:
1. Adequate Food: Animals shall be provided, at intervals not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, a quantity of wholesome food specific to the age of the animal's species that provides a level of nutrition necessary to sustain the good health of the animal.
2. Adequate Quantities of Water: Animals shall at all times have access clean and fresh water. The owner shall replenish the water supply a minimum of every twenty-four (24) hours.
3. Sanitary Animal Keeping: Owners shall keep their animals in a clean, sanitary and healthy manner and not confine them in a manner where they are forced to stand, sit or lie in their own excrement.
4. Shelter: Every owner shall provide their Companion Animal with a shelter structure possessing walls, roof, and raised floor adequate to shield the animals from wind and rain. The structure shall be adequately ventilated and provide protection from excessive heat and cold, and shall be commensurate to the size of the inhabiting animal to permit it to move about freely.
5. Tethering: An owner shall not tether a dog or other Companion Animal through use of a choke collar or tether, or confine an animal in such manner that it can become entangled to the extent it cannot move freely, or reach shelter or water, or become entangled with another animal. The area where the animal is tethered or confined must be free of extraneous material that may cause it injury (materials such as glass, sharp metal and nails). No animal may be kept continuously tethered for more than twelve (12) hours during any twenty-four (24) hour period or tethered on a continuous basis. As defined by ADA and Idaho Code for an individual with a disability who has a service dog/service dog in training or a trainer who is training a dog for an individual with a disability. See ADA and Idaho Code Title 56, Chapter 7 for definitions and exemptions for off leash/tether/harness.
6. Exercise: Every confined animal must be regularly provided with physical activity appropriate to their species, age and condition sufficient to maintain their good health.
7. Veterinary Care: The owner of a diseased or injured animal shall promptly provide the animal with appropriate veterinary care and shall segregate the diseased animal from other animals, as necessary to prevent the transmittal of disease.
B. Animal Fights Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to attend or participate in any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight, or other such combat between animals.
C. Fighting Equipment: It shall be unlawful to possess cockspurs, slashers, gaffs, or other tools, equipment, devices or training facilities intended for purposes for training or engaging an animal in combat with another animal.
D. Animal Exhibition; Circus: It shall be unlawful for an animal exhibition or circus to perform acts or establish exhibits where the performing or exhibited animals are induced to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner which is likely to cause physical injury or suffering.
E. Confinement without Food and Water; Intervention: A person observing a Companion Animal confined without access to food or water for more than twenty-four (24) hours, should immediately contact the Animal Control Agency. A person acting in good faith to provide food, water or shelter to a mistreated animal shall be immune from civil liability.
F. Improper Containment of Animal in Motor Vehicle or Trailer: No person(s) shall permit an animal to be contained within a motor vehicle or trailer under conditions that endanger the health, safety or wellbeing of the animal. This provision includes circumstances relating dangerous temperatures or lack of air, food, water and proper care. An Animal Control Officer, law enforcement officer or public official who has probable cause to believe a confined animal is imperiled shall have the authority to enter the motor vehicle or trailer by any reasonable means after making an effort to locate the owner.
G. Abandonment: It shall be unlawful to abandon an animal intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, or leave an animal at a location without providing for the animal's continued care. Abandonment includes the disposing of an animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic or other place of shelter without first making provisions for its reasonable care.
H. A violation of this Section shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided for in Section 4-5-20. (Ord. 922, 4-24-2024)