A. Standard Of Care: All animals shall receive from their owners or keepers the minimum standard of care set forth in this section. Any person not treating their pet in such a humane manner will be subject to the penalties provided in this chapter. It shall be unlawful to leave an animal within the city without providing for the animal's control, supervision or restraint. It shall be unlawful to leave any animal within the city limits with the intent of having the city care for or dispose of the animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any animal within the city without wholesome food, water, shelter or access to any of those necessities, the minimum standards of which are as follows:
1. Sufficient Food: All animals shall be provided, at intervals not to exceed twenty four (24) hours, a quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the animal's specific species and age and which maintains an adequate level of nutrition to sustain the good health of the animal.
2. Sufficient Water: Constant access to a supply of clean, fresh water provided at intervals not to exceed twenty four (24) hours.
3. Sanitary Keeping Of Animals: Every owner or caregiver of animals shall keep all animals in a clean, sanitary and healthy manner and not confined so as to be forced to stand, sit or lie in their own excrement.
4. Shelter: Every owner or caregiver shall provide all domestic animals with a shelter that shall be a structure having at least four (4) walls, a roof, a floor which is raised off the ground, a door opening properly shielded from wind and rain and which is ventilated and protected from excessive heat and cold and of sufficient size commensurate to the size of the inhabiting animal to permit the animal to move about freely.
5. Tethering: Any owner shall not tether a dog by use of a choke collar or tether or confine an animal in such manner that it can become entangled so that it cannot move freely, cannot reach shelter or water, or such that it can 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 (such as, but not limited to, glass, sharp metal, nails, etc.). A dog tether must be a minimum length of three (3) times the length of the dog, measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. No animal may be kept continuously tethered for more than twelve (12) hours in any twenty four (24) hour period.
6. Exercise: Any confined animal must periodically be provided with physical activity appropriate to their species, age and condition sufficient to maintain health.
7. Veterinary Care: The owner or caregiver of a diseased or injured animal shall promptly provide the animal with appropriate veterinary care and shall segregate the diseased animal from other animals, if appropriate, to prevent the transmittal of disease.
B. Torture Or Neglect: It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any animal to be tortured, neglected, tormented, overloaded, overworked, cruelly beaten or mutilated, or cruelly killed; and whoever having charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, inflicts or allows the infliction of unnecessary suffering or pain upon the same shall be guilty of violating this section.
C. Animal Fights Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, instigate, or permit any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight, or other such combat between animals or between animals and humans. Anyone who permits such conduct on premises under his control, and any person present at such an exhibition, shall also be deemed a violator of this subsection and subject to punishment thereof.
D. Fighting Equipment: It shall be unlawful to possess cockspurs, slashers, gaffs, or other tools, equipment, devices or training facilities for the purpose of training or engaging an animal in combat with another animal.
E. Leg Hold Traps: It shall be illegal to set out any leg hold traps in the city unless approved by the animal control agency.
F. Animal Exhibition, Circus: It shall be unlawful for an animal exhibition or circus to perform acts or exhibits in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner which will cause, or is likely to cause, physical injury or suffering.
G. Confinement Without Food And Water; Intervention: Anyone observing a domestic animal confined without necessary food for more than thirty six (36) consecutive hours, or water for more than twenty four (24) hours, should contact the animal control agency immediately.
H. Unsafe Containment Of Animal In Motor Vehicle: No person shall permit an animal to be within or on a motor vehicle at any location under such conditions that may endanger the health, safety or well being of the animal, including, but not limited to, dangerous temperatures, lack of air, food, water or proper care. In order to protect the health and safety of such animal, an animal control officer/police officer who has probable cause to believe that this subsection is being violated shall have the authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner.
I. Abandonment: It shall be unlawful to abandon an animal intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or, with criminal negligence, leave an animal at a location without providing for the animal's continued care unless allowed by state law. It is no defense to abandonment if a person abandons an animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic or other place of shelter if reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal were not made by the person abandoning the animal.
J. Violation; Animal Impoundment: Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a general misdemeanor. Any animal found in violation of this section may be impounded by the animal control officer. (Ord. 617, 12-12-2016)