(a) No person may negligently leave an animal at a location without making reasonable provision for the animal's continued care. It shall not be a defense to an alleged violation of this section for a person to leave an animal at an animal care facility without the consent of that animal care facility, unless the animal is left in an area specifically designated by the animal care facility for such purposes. For the purpose of this section, "animal care facility" shall mean a veterinary office, animal shelter or other organization or business whose primary purpose is providing care for animals.
(b) Any act prohibited by this section or any subsections herein may be charged as a separate offense for each animal so affected.
(c) Whoever violates this Section shall be guilty of animal abandonment, a misdemeanor of the second degree. Animal abandonment shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree if the offender has been previously convicted of this section, any offense listed under Chapter 959 of the Ohio Revised Code, or any other state or local ordinance relating to animals, other than a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 11-18. Passed 5-16-11.)
(Ord. 11-18. Passed 5-16-11.)