A. Running At Large Prohibited:
1. Fowl And Poultry: It is unlawful for the owner of any chickens, turkeys, quail, ducks, geese and all other fowl to allow the same to run at large within the city.
2. Domestic Animals: No domestic animals, except cats, shall be allowed to run at large.
3. Exceptions: The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
a. Police Dogs: Police dogs in connection with lawful police work as long as under adequate voice or other control of an authorized law enforcement officer.
b. Search And Rescue Dogs: Any dog being used for search and rescue operations under such conditions as may be reasonably necessary in the particular circumstances.
c. Dog On Private Property: Any dog at large on private property with the express permission of the property owner.
d. Seeing Eye Dog: Guide dogs specifically trained to and in the performance of aiding the blind and visually impaired, hearing impaired or physically handicapped as set forth in the definition found in section 5-2-2
of this chapter.
B. Animals Prohibited Within City; Exception: Except as otherwise provided, no horse, mule, cow, steer, bull, swine or other domestic animal shall be herded, ridden or allowed to remain in or on any of the public thoroughfares or public places within the corporate limits or upon any private premises therein, except as otherwise allowed herein or except when participating in a lawful and authorized parade and the animal is secured by rope, halter or other suitable device and then only on a public thoroughfare.
C. Equestrian Routes And Lanes: Provided, however, streets may be designated as equestrian routes for the purpose of traversing the city by horseback. Horseback riding on said designated streets shall be conducted in such a manner so as not to impede traffic or create a hazard to other persons using the streets. If equestrian lanes are designated on the streets, all horseback riding shall be conducted within those lanes. Riding of horses on sidewalks is prohibited.
D. Restraint of Guard Dogs: Every owner of a guard or attack dog shall keep such dog confined in a building, compartment or other enclosure. Any such enclosure shall be completely surrounded by a fence at least six feet (6') in height and shall be topped with an anticlimbing device to prevent the animal from exiting the top of the enclosure. Such areas of confinement shall all have gates and entrances thereto securely closed and locked, and all fences shall be properly maintained and escape proof. Such premises shall be clearly posted to warn of the presence of guard dogs. The provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs owned or controlled by government law enforcement agencies.
E. Food And Water: All animals shall be supplied with sufficient good food and water as often as the feeding habits of the respective animals require, but not less than two (2) times every twenty four (24) hours for adults.
F. Adequate Shelter: Adequate shelter from the weather shall be provided each animal. Adequate shelter will at a minimum consist of a structure of at least three (3) walls and a roof or of some other structure type that can withstand and reasonably guard the animal from the elements; including snow, wind, and rain. The structure must be of an adequate size to house the animal, kept in good repair and condition that it is not detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the animal.
G. Maintenance Of Animals And Animal Enclosures: All animals and animal enclosures shall be maintained in clean and sanitary condition and in a state of good repair to protect the animals from injury.
H. Cruelty To Animals: It shall be unlawful for any person to strike, beat, abuse, or intentionally run down with a vehicle any animal, or otherwise engage in any act to cause or inflict unnecessary pain, injury, suffering, or death to such animal; except that reasonable force may be used to drive away vicious or trespassing animals. No person, except for a licensed veterinarian, or animal safety officer (for humanitarian purposes) shall administer poison to any animal, or knowingly place any poisonous or harmful substance of any kind or ground glass in any place with the intent to injure any animal. The provisions of this section are not applicable to licensed exterminators using poisons as part of a pest control program or the use of commercial insecticides and rodent baits used to control insects and/or wild rodents.
I. Nuisance: Nuisances shall be reported, determined, and dealt with in accordance with section 5-2-14 below.
J. Abandonment Of Unfit Animals: It is unlawful for any person to wilfully abandon or turn loose to run at large any animal unfit for further use by reason of disease, old age, injury or other reason. Whenever any animal is taken up for impounding, which, in the opinion of the animal control officer, is by reason of age, disease or injury unfit for further use or dangerous to be kept impounded, the animal control officer shall, within twenty four (24) hours thereafter, destroy such animal.
K. Natural Enemies Or Incompatible Animals: It is unlawful to quarter animals which are natural enemies or otherwise incompatible together or so near each other to cause injury, fear or torment.
L. Wrongful Claim of an Abandoned Animal. In the event that a Rathdrum resident turns over an animal to the police department wrongfully claiming that said animal was abandoned and it is discovered by the police department that the abandonment claim was wrongful, then that resident will be responsible for any and all shelter fees that may have accrued since the animal was turned over to the police or Animal Control Officer. The fees may be sent to the resident via mailed invoice, and once sent, if the invoice is not paid within at least thirty (30) days, it may be turned over to collections by the city. (Ord. 532, 12-11-2012; amd. Ord. 629, 10-25-2023)