Subd. 1. Improper care.
a. Food. Animals must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth and maintenance of body weight.
b. Water. Animals must be provided with clean, fresh water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal's needs or supplied by free choice. Snow or ice is not an adequate water supply.
c. Shelter. Animals must be provided with proper shelter and protection from the weather. A person in charge or control of any animal which is kept outdoors or in an unheated enclosure shall provide the animal with shelter and bedding as prescribed in this section as a minimum. The shelter shall include a moisture proof and wind proof structure of suitable size to accommodate the animal and allow retention of body heat. It shall be made of durable material with a solid, moisture-proof floor or a floor raised at least two inches from the ground. Between November 1 and March 31 the structure must have a windbreak at the entrance. The structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding material consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the equivalent, to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness and promote retention of body heat. Shade from the direct rays of the sun, during the months of May to October shall be provided.
d. Sanitation. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow food and water receptacles, kennels, yards, or the premises where the animal is kept to be or to remain in an unhealthy, unsanitary, or obnoxious condition, or to permit the premises to be in such condition that obnoxious odors can be plainly detected on adjacent public or private property.
e. Veterinary care. The owner or custodian of a domesticated animal shall provide adequate health care, including parasite and pest control, and care needed to prevent suffering.
f. Cruelty to animals. It shall be unlawful for any owner to beat, cruelly ill-treat, torment or otherwise abuse or neglect any animal. A person may not inflict cruelty on a pet or companion animal by the use of a cruel training or handling device or method.
g. Interpretation of terms. A dispute as to the meaning of abuse, cruelty, neglect or adequate healthcare shall be resolved by an expert opinion.
h. Animals in motor vehicles. A person may not leave an animal unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the animal's health or safety. Animals carried in open vehicles, including trucks, boats, motorcycles, dirt bikes, trailers, and the like, must be restrained in a crate or carrier or restrained by a chain or cable to prevent the animal from leaving the vehicle or being tossed out.
Subd. 2. Removal of animals. A peace officer, Animal Enforcement Officer, or a volunteer or professional member of a fire or rescue department of a political subdivision may use reasonable force to enter a motor vehicle and remove an animal which has been left in the vehicle in violation of this section. A person removing an animal under this division shall use reasonable means to contact the owner of the animal to arrange for its return home. If the person is unable to contact the owner, the person may take the animal to an animal shelter.
(Ord. 504, passed 10-28-2013)