(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, torture, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, wound, injure, poison, abandon, or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare of any animal or to cause or procure such action. The words TORTURE, TORMENT, or CRUELLY shall be held to include every act of omission or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted; however nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit otherwise lawful shooting, hunting, or trapping of birds or animals nor to prohibit the Animal Services Department or veterinarians from destroying dangerous, unwanted or injured animals in a humane manner.
(B) An animal may not be restricted or confined in such a way that it cannot seek relief from extreme temperatures, the sun, and/or the elements. All animals under the care, custody or control of an owner shall be given adequate food, water, shelter from winter weather, and shade in summer.
(1) All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of contaminants and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage.
(2) Animals are to be fed daily or as recommended. Feed shall be provided in sufficient quantity and be of appropriate and sufficient nutritional value (wholesome, palatable, and free from contamination such as feces, mold, mildew, insects, and other contaminating substances).
(C) Adequate shelter must include at least 3 sides and a roof, allow proper air circulation, and have sufficient room for the animal(s) to move about freely and to lie down comfortably. The following arrangements do not constitute adequate shelter and protection during extreme or inclement weather conditions:
(1) Underneath exterior steps, stoops, or similar structures;
(2) Inside of vehicles;
(3) Underneath vehicles;
(4) Inside cardboard boxes; and
(5) Inside buildings or rooms within buildings without proper air circulation.
(D) Animals over 12 weeks of age, except females with litters, housed in enclosures must be provided a minimum floor space for that animal determined as follows: (length of animal in inches plus 6) x (length of animal in inches plus 6) divided by 144 = minimum enclosure floor space in square feet required for each animal in an enclosure. The animal shall be measured from the tip of the nose to the base of its tail.
(E) No animal shall be confined to an area that does not provide space for exercise as necessary to reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. Space and provision for exercise must be appropriate and sufficient for age, breed/type, quality, condition, and size of the animal and at a minimum shall provide two times the minimum enclosure floor space required in § 90.010(D) for each animal.
(F) No animal shall be restrained with a chain that is unduly heavy (over 1 pound per foot).
(G) All animals will be afforded immediate veterinary care at the expense of the owner or caretaker if there is a known or suspected injury or illness that should require professional medical treatment.
(Ord. 16, passed 3-2-2015; Am. Ord. passed 8-19-2020) Penalty, see § 90.999