(A) Cruelty to animals shall be prohibited within the city limits.
CRUELTY shall be defined as follows:
(1) Physical abuse. It is unlawful for any person or persons to willfully or maliciously kill, maim, disfigure, torture, beat with a stick, chain, club or other object, mutilate, burn, or scald with any substance, or otherwise cruelly set upon any animal, except that reasonable force may be employed to drive off vicious or trespassing animals.
(2) Care and maintenance. It is unlawful for any person or persons to fail, refuse, or neglect to provide any animal in his or her charge or custody, as owner or otherwise, with proper food, drink, shade, shelter, or veterinary care as may be necessary for diseased or injured animals. Any animal habitually kept outside shall be provided with a structurally sound, moisture-proof and windproof shelter large enough to accommodate and keep the animal reasonably clean, dry and comfortable.
(3) Leaving animals unattended in a vehicle. It is unlawful for any person or persons to place or confine or allow an animal to be confined in a manner that it must remain in a motor vehicle or trailer under conditions or for periods of time as may endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, lack of food or water, or any circumstances which might cause suffering, disability or death.
(4) Abandonment of animals. It is unlawful for any person or persons to abandon or dump any animal within the city. All animals which are abandoned shall be considered surrendered to the Animal Control Officer for impoundment or disposal.
(5) Owner's cost. Any person or persons violating this section shall bear full cost and expenses incurred by the city in the care, medical treatment, impoundment cost, and disposal of animals, including removal from a vehicle.
(B) This section shall not apply to animals confined prior to slaughter.
(Prior Code, § 6-304) (Ord. 1769, passed 2-4-1985) Penalty, see § 10.99