(A) (1) No owner shall recklessly fail to provide animals with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather. This means at least a three-sided, roofed doghouse. Veterinary care, when needed, shall be provided to prevent suffering, for humane care and treatment.
(2) No person shall recklessly beat, cruelly ill-treat, torment, overload, overwork or otherwise abuse any animal, or cause or permit any dog fight, cock fight or other combat between animals. No owner of any animal shall abandon that animal. No person other than a licensed veterinarian shall crop a dog’s ears.
(B) No animal shall be tied, fastened by any rope, chain or cord that is directly attached to the animal’s neck. Animals that must belied or fastened to be restrain them must wear a properly fitted collar or harness made of leather or nylon, not of the choker type. This is not to prohibit the proper use of choker collars in the training of animals. The tying device shall be attached to the animal’s collar or harness and shall be at least 12 feet of free length. No animal will be tethered for 24 hours per day. Reasonable exercise will be provided for the animal by its owner.
(C) (1) Animals found in cruel, abusive, neglectful situations or abandoned, as defined in § 91.01, may be promptly impounded if no immediate contact with a responsible person can be made; provided, however, that the Animal Control Officer shall attempt to leave written notice on the door of the residence saying the location of the animal and the reason for impoundment.
(2) Animals so removed will be impounded and held at the Animal Control Service or a designated facility until such time the violator is in compliance with this chapter; provided, however, that in no event shall this period exceed ten days, at which time the animal shall become the property of the Animal Control Service, unless an extension in time is necessary for the Animal Control Officer to have ample time to prepare a court case if prosecution is warranted.
(3) Animals impounded for reasons beyond the control of the owner, such as, but not limited to, quarantine, house fire, death of the owner or arrest of the owner, will be held for ten days during which time a reasonable effort will be made to contact the owner and/or representative.
(3) After the tenth day of impoundment, the animal will become the property of the Animal Control Service. Animals awaiting disposition by the court shall remain in custody of the Animal Control Service, unless such disposition is made, or placed in a foster home until legal arrangements have been completed. Animals so removed may be transported to a licensed veterinarian for examination and/or treatment. If, in the opinion of said veterinarian, the animal must be destroyed, euthanasia will be performed immediately. Costs of treatment, euthanasia and/or care shall be responsibility of the owner or owner’s agent.
(D) All animals kept inside or in a pen, tied or fastened, leashed or enclosed by a fence shall be kept in a sanitary manner. The persons responsible for the animals shall regularly clean as often as necessary to prevent odor or health and sanitation problems and shall regularly maintain all areas of the animal’s confinement.
(Ord. 2022-4, passed 9-22-2022) Penalty, see § 91.99