(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDON. To leave any animal in one’s care, whether as owner or custodian, for any length of time without making effective provision for its food, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the animal’s health.
ANIMAL. Any vertebrate member of the animal kingdom. ANIMAL does not include an uncaptured wild creature or a livestock animal as defined in this section.
BOVINE. A cow, an ox, or a bison.
CRUELLY MISTREAT. To knowingly and intentionally kill, maim, disfigure, torture, beat, mutilate, burn, scald, or otherwise inflict harm upon any animal.
CRUELLY NEGLECT. To fail to provide any animal in one’s care, whether as owner or custodian, with food, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the animal’s health.
HUMANE KILLING. The destruction of an animal by a method which causes the animal a minimum of pain and suffering.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Any member of the Nebraska State Patrol, any county or deputy sheriff, any member of the police force of the city or any other city or village, or any other public official authorized by the city or any other city or village to enforce state or local animal control laws, rules, regulations, or ordinances. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER also includes a special investigator appointed as a deputy state sheriff as authorized pursuant to section 81-201 RS Neb. while acting within the authority of the Director of Agriculture.
LIVESTOCK ANIMAL. Any bovine, equine, swine, sheep, goats, domesticated cervine animals, ratite birds, or poultry.
OWNER OR CUSTODIAN. Any person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, or knowingly permitting an animal to remain on or about any premises owned or occupied by such person.
POLICE ANIMAL. A horse or dog owned or controlled by the state or any county, city, or village for the purpose of assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of his or her official enforcement duties. (Ref. 28-1008 RS Neb.)
(B) Enforcement powers; immunity.
(1) A law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that an animal has been abandoned or is being cruelly neglected or cruelly mistreated may seek a warrant authorizing entry upon private property to inspect, care for, or impound the animal.
(2) It shall be the duty of a law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that an animal has been abandoned or is being cruelly neglected or cruelly mistreated to make prompt investigation of such violation. A law enforcement officer may, in lieu of making an arrest, issue a citation to the owner or custodian as prescribed in sections 29-422 to 29-429 RS Neb.
(3) Any law enforcement officer acting under this section shall not be liable for damage to property if such damage is not the result of the officer’s negligence. (Ref. 28-1012 RS Neb.)
(C) Violation.
(1) A person who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly abandons, cruelly neglects, or cruelly mistreats an animal is guilty of an offense.
(2) A person commits harassment of a police animal if he or she knowingly and intentionally teases or harasses a police animal in order to distract, agitate, or harm the police animal for the purpose of preventing such animal from performing its legitimate official duties. (Ref. 28-1009 RS Neb.) (Ord. No. 337, 1/8/91) (Amended by Ord. Nos. 642, 6/1/04; 667, 11/2/04; 915, 5/17/16; 1132, 6/6/23)