It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, wound, injure, poison, abandon, or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare of an animal, or to cause or procure such action. The words “torture” and “torment” shall be held to include every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted: but such terms shall not be construed to prohibit lawful shooting of birds, deer and other game for human food: nor to prohibit an animal's owner, a veterinarian, or Director of the Albemarle Regional Health Services, or Sheriff’s Office agents from destroying dangerous, unwanted, or injured animals in a humane manner. As used in this section, the term “animal” includes all domesticated animals.
(Ord. passed 7-9-2018)