A. It is unlawful for any person to deposit within the limits of this City any live animal with the intention of abandoning such animal.
B. It is unlawful to carry out inhumane treatment against any animal. "Inhumane treatment" is hereby defined to include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Any physical punishment inconsistent with the health of such animal;
2. Lack of food or water for more than a twenty-four (24) hour period;
3. Knowingly permitting obvious nutritional deficiencies or other evident health problems involving any animal;
4. Improper use of any collar or harness or a fixed leash for the purpose of confining any animal which results in flesh laceration, obvious pain, or to cause choking to such animal;
5. Depriving animal of adequate shelter; and
6. Inhumane killing or attempting to kill any animal.
C. It is unlawful for any person to unjustifiably administer any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any animal or unjustifiably expose any such drug or substance with intent that the same shall be taken by an animal, whether such animal be the property of himself or another.
D. 1. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to keep or maintain the animal on a tie-out, tether, picket, or similar device consisting of a rope, cable, or any other type of tether for any duration unless continually supervised by its owner or other adult responsible for the animal at the time. Exemptions to this section may be granted by any Animal Welfare Officer or Commissioned Police Officer.
2. Any person who receives an exemption shall ensure that the animal will not be on the tie-out, tether, picket, or similar device for any duration under conditions which may reasonably threaten the health or well-being of the animal. The owner of a dog or cat maintained on a tether of any type shall properly fit the animal with a harness or collar to which the tether shall be attached. The tether shall be of adequate length to allow reasonable exercise, access to water, shelter, and shall not be subject to entanglement with other objects in any manner that may cause the animal injury or clear discomfort or be a weight disproportionate to the size of the animal so tethered as to unduly burden the animal. Tethering dogs or cats using chains or prong collars is prohibited. Tethering of an unsupervised dog or cat is prohibited when the outside air temperature is not between thirty-five (35) and ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit.
E. Upon conviction of a violation of this chapter for inhuman treatment to any animal, it is unlawful for the owner or keeper of such animal to not release such animal kept in inhuman conditions to an Animal Control Officer for disposition in accord with the provisions of this chapter.
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 22-07 on 7/5/2022