It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to provide an animal or animals with proper shelter and protection from the weather, sufficient and wholesome food and water to keep animal or animals in good health and comfort, the opportunity for exercise, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering and humane care and treatment. Also, it shall be unlawful for any person to maintain his or her animal or animals in their care or on their property in unsanitary or inhumane conditions.
(A) By way of example, but not limitation, the following standards may be deemed adequate upon the discretion of an animal control officer upon investigation:
(1) “Adequate food” means the provision at suitable intervals, not to exceed 24 hours, of quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain nutrition in each animal. Such foodstuff shall be served in a receptacle, dish, or container.
(2) “Adequate water” means access to a supply of clean, fresh water suitable for drinking and provided in a sanitary manner.
(3) Adequate shelter means that shelter or portion of an outside enclosure which will keep a non-aquatic animal dry and out of the direct sun, at a temperature level that is healthful for the animal. The structure should have dry bedding such as hay or straw for warmth during cold temperatures. For dogs, cats or other small animals the shelter shall be a wind and moisture resistant structure of suitable size to accommodate the animal (the animal should be able to stand up and turn around in the structure). The enclosure shall be stable and include surrounding walls, a roof and a solid floor with an opening entrance large enough to allow access to the animal. The animal must have access to shaded areas other than the shelter during warm or hot days. If there are dangerous temperatures all animals should be brought inside or provided with adequate shelter.
(B) For all animals the containment area shall be free of accumulated waste and debris so that the animal shall be free to walk or lie down without coming into contact with any such waste or debris and drainage shall be provided to eliminate excess water or moisture. Shelters that are not adequate include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) Underneath houses, outdoor steps, decks or stoops or underneath motor vehicles;
(2) Inside metal barrels or cardboard boxes;
(3) Shelters that are prone to flood;
(4) Shelters surrounded by debris, obstructions or impediments that may endanger the animal;
(5) Confinement of the animal in storage rooms, sheds or out buildings without windows and proper ventilation if the Sheriff's Office determines the shelter is inadequate.
(C) It is unlawful to keep an animal in unsanitary and/or inhumane conditions which are detrimental to the animal’s health and general welfare, which protects the county against the possibility of transmission of disease.
(Ord. passed 7-9-2018)