A. All animals kept within the city limits shall be housed, watered, fed and protected from the weather in such a manner as not to endanger any animal's life or well being.
B. No person shall wilfully or maliciously:
1. Torture, cruelly beat, injure, maim, mutilate, overdrive, overload, unjustly destroy, kill or instigate, engage in or in any way further any act of cruelty or any act tending to produce such cruelty to any animal belonging to himself or to another.
2. Deprive any animal of food, drink, or shelter.
3. Unjustly administer any poison or noxious drug or substance to any animal.
4. Unjustly expose any drug or substance with the intent the drug or substance shall be taken by an animal, whether such animal is the property of that owner or another person.
5. Throw any animal from a vehicle.
6. Cause any other person to do any of the acts listed in this subsection.
C. No animal shall be confined within or on a motor vehicle under such conditions as may endanger the health or well being of the animal, including, but not limited to, dangerous temperature or lack of food or water.
D. No person shall abandon or cause to be abandoned any animal within the City limits.
E. The owner and/or keeper of any animal shall provide food, water, shelter and medical attention to any animal, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Sufficient, wholesome food nutritious for the species.
2. Fresh, potable drinking water.
3. Medical attention to relieve such animal from suffering.
4. Shelter to allow the animal to remain dry and protected from the elements. (Ord. 1163, 4-8-2014)
F. Any person tethering an animal within the corporate limits of the City of Seminole must adhere to the following procedure:
1. No animal may be tethered outside for longer than twelve (12) hours in any twenty four (24) hour period;
2. No animal shall be restrained in the front yard of any residence or dwelling;
3. Any tethered animal must always have access to adequate subsistence and shelter at all times;
4. No animal may be tethered to a fence or be tethered in location that allows the animal to reach to the opposite side of a fence;
5. No animal may be tethered within reach of any aboveground utility meter, transformer or mailbox;
6. All areas accessible to a tethered animal must be maintained daily, including, but not limited to, the removal of animal feces.
7. All restraints utilized to tether an animal must comply with the following provisions:
a. The restraint shall be connected to the dog by a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather, not less than one inch (1") in width;
b. The restraint shall not be attached in a manner that could cause injury or discomfort to the animal;
c. No chain, rope, wire or bandanna shall be used as a collar;
d. The restraint shall be at least five (5) times the length of the dog's body, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and terminate at both ends with a swivel;
e. The restraint must be appropriate to the weight of the animal, and be free from tangles or obstructions.
Any person who is convicted of violating the provisions of this subsection F shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00), excluding costs, and/or imprisonment in the City Jail for a period of not more than thirty (30) days. (Ord. 1210, 2-13-2018, eff. 2-13-2018)
G. Any animal control officer finding an animal maltreated or abused shall remove the animal or give the owner or person causing maltreatment seventy two (72) hours to remedy the violation. If, in the opinion of the animal control officer, the life or welfare of the animal is in immediate danger, he may take charge of the animal and place the animal in care of a veterinarian at the owner's expense or place such animal in the animal shelter. The animal shall be maintained there until such time as the problem can be rectified and all fines, court costs and charges for animal care are paid in full. The decision as to whether the animal shall be released back to the person causing the maltreatment will then be made by the presiding Judge upon recommendation of the animal control officer.
H. If the condition of the animal is not improved to the satisfaction of the animal control officer, another citation may be issued. (Ord. 1163, 4-8-2014)