(A) Cruelty. Cruelty to animals is strictly prohibited. An owner shall not unreasonably discipline, beat, torment, mutilate, abandon, overwork, destroy or deprive an animal of basic needs that would threaten its survival.
(B) Neglect.
(1) Animals shall be housed in a healthy environment and provided with proper food, water, shelter, medical care, exercise space and ventilation.
(2) Owners shall ensure that:
(a) All animals receive daily food that is free from contamination and is of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to maintain the animal in good health;
(b) Potable water is accessible to the animal at all times;
(c) All animals have convenient access to natural or artificial shelter. The shelter shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animal from the elements and of sufficient size to permit the animal to enter, stand, turn around and lie down in a natural manner. A shelter which does not protect the animal from harmful temperature extremes or precipitation, or which does not provide adequate ventilation or drainage, does not comply with this section;
(d) All animals receive adequate care and medical treatment for standard vaccinations, debilitating injuries, parasites and diseases sufficient to maintain the animal in good health;
(e) All animals confined by a chain, leash, wire, cable or similar restraint system shall be humanely attached and located so that the animal will be freely ambulatory and cannot become entangled with other objects; and
(f) No animal shall be kept in a vehicle or other enclosed space in which the temperature is either so high or so low, or the ventilation is so inadequate, as to endanger the animal’s life or health. The Police Department or an Animal Control Officer is authorized to use reasonable force to remove an animal from a vehicle or other enclosed space if it appears that extreme temperatures or lack of ventilation endangers the animal’s life. No enforcement officer or the city shall be liable for damages to property caused by the use of reasonable force to remove an animal from such vehicle or enclosed space.
(C) Abandonment. An owner shall not abandon or recklessly discard animals within the city limits on either public or private property.
(D) Impound of mistreated animals. The Animal Control Officer may cite any owner and impound any animal that is suffering from cruelty, neglect or abandonment.
(1976 Code, § 6-8) Penalty, see § 10.99