(a) Definitions.
(1) Adequate food means the provision of foodstuff that is uncontaminated, wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to maintain the normal condition and weight of the animal. Food shall be provided at suitable intervals or at least once a day, unless restricted by a veterinarian. The diet shall be appropriate for the animal's species, age and condition. Food shall be served in a receptacle, dish or container that is physically clean and absent of agents injurious to the health of the animal.
(2) Adequate shade means for dogs one (1) or more separate outside areas of shade, large enough to contain all dogs at one (1) time and to protect them from the direct rays of the sun. A doghouse shall not constitute adequate shade. For all other animals that, as determined by species, require shade, "adequate shade" means one (1) or more outside areas of shade large enough to protect all the animals present from the direct rays of the sun.
(3) Adequate shelter means for dogs an appropriate, durable, enclosed, permanent structure, or a structure manufactured to serve primarily as an outdoor shelter for a dog, with a roof, four (4) sides and a floor constructed in a manner to protect a dog's feet and legs from injury and with dimensions appropriate for breed and size. The shelter shall provide the dog adequate protection and shelter from heat and cold and from the direct effect of wind, rain and snow. The shelter shall have a sufficient amount of clean organic bedding material, e.g., straw, hay or wood shavings, to keep the dog warm and dry. For all other animals, "adequate shelter" means an appropriate structure that provides the animal adequate protection and shelter, as determined by the animal's species, from heat and cold and from the direct effect of wind, rain and snow.
(4) Adequate water means constant access to a supply of clean, fresh, drinkable water, unless restricted by a veterinarian, which is provided in a sanitary manner.
(5) Veterinary care means an appropriate level of professional medical care and treatment by a licensed veterinarian to maintain the proper health and condition of an animal as determined by its species, breed and age.
(b) It shall be unlawful:
(1) For any person within the urban county to unnecessarily or cruelly beat, torture, abuse or otherwise mistreat any horse or other animal, whether his own or that of another, or to subject such an animal to any condition that is likely to result in harm to the animal.
(2) For the owner or harborer of an animal to fail to provide the animal with adequate food, water, shelter, shade or veterinary care.
(3) For any animal's housing area or enclosure to be excessively muddy or contain standing water, due to a lack of groundcover, or be otherwise unsanitary. Any animal's area or enclosure shall be free of objects or contaminants which are likely to cause injury or be detrimental to the health of the animal, including, but not limited to, rusty or jagged metal objects, broken glass, or harmful chemical solvents or agents.
(4) For any person to permit the accumulation of animal excrement on property he or she owns or leases so as to cause unsightly litter or fouling of the air by odor, thereby creating an unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored.
(5) For the owner or harborer of a dog to use a collar or harness made of wire, flat chain, chain with sharp edges, or chain with rusty or non-uniform links. If attached to a tether, the collar or harness shall be properly fitting and not primarily metal or choke-type. The tether attached to a collar or harness shall be of a weight and material appropriate for the breed and size of the animal; cannot weigh more than five (5) pounds total weight; be no less than twelve (12) feet in length; and have swivels at both ends. A person shall not wrap a tether directly around a dog's neck. An area where a dog is tethered shall be free of objects which could become tangled in the tether. The tether shall be secured to a fixed immobile point that allows freedom of movement while withstanding the force necessary to restrain the dog.
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed twelve (12) months, or both, for each act, which shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 10-99, § 1, 1-28-99; Ord. No. 108-2009, § 1, 6-25-09; Ord. No. 232-2009, § 1, 11-5-09; Ord. No. 80-2017 , § 1, 5-25-17)
State law references(s)—Cruelty to animals, KRS 525.125, 525.130.