§ 5-41. Cruelty to animals/animal abandonment.

(a)

All animals shall be kept and treated under sanitary and humane conditions and failure of the owner or keeper of the animal to abide by the following provisions shall be subject to the penalties described in subsection (c) listed below:

(1)

All animals in the possession of any person shall be provided proper and adequate food and water. All animals, unless otherwise indicated in this chapter, shall be given at suitable intervals, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, a quantity of wholesome food suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a healthful level of nutrition. All animals shall have access to a supply of clean, fresh water.

(2)

All animals shall be kept in a clean area and provided adequate shelter as described by definition on section 5-35. The enclosure shall be ventilated and must have sufficient room for the animal(s) to move around freely and to lie down comfortably. The following shall not constitute adequate shelter:

a.

Underneath outside steps, decks and stoops;

b.

Inside vehicles during the summer;

c.

Inside metal barrels placed in direct sunlight during the summer;

d.

Inside cardboard boxes.

(3)

All owners or keepers of animals shall provide proper medical attention for sick, diseased, or injured animals. A sick animal shall go no longer than twenty-four (24) hours without veterinary care.

(b)

No person shall beat, torment, overload, overwork, tease, molest or bait an animal as defined in section 5-41. No person shall shoot a dog, either on or off the owner's property, unless the dog is in the act of attacking a human being, livestock or poultry. No person shall trap a dog or cat that they are not the legal owner of without the permission of the county animal services director. By way of example and not limitation, the following acts or conditions shall constitute prima facie evidence of animal cruelty:

(1)

Animals that have not been fed or watered adequately;

(2)

Allowing animals to live in unsanitary and crowded conditions, and allowing animals to be exposed to extreme damp, hot or cold weather without shelter;

(3)

Failure or refusal of an owner to obtain medical treatment for an animal when in an animal control officer's opinion such treatment is needed;

(4)

A collar, rope or chain embedded in or causing injury to an animal's neck;

(5)

Causing, permitting or instigating any dog fight, cock fight, bull fight or other illegal contest or combat between animals or animals and humans;

(6)

Exposing any known poisonous substance or mix a poisonous substance with food so that it will likely be eaten by any animal. This does not include acts or attempts of persons to rid their own property of rats or any other acts permitted by the state wildlife department;

(7)

Anyone leaving an animal in a closed car, truck or other vehicle for such duration or at temperatures as an animal control officer in his/her sole discretion, deems harmful or potentially harmful to the animal. No person shall carry or cause to be carried in or upon any vehicle or other conveyance any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner;

(8)

Turning loose or discarding any animal with the intent of abandoning such animal.

(c)

Penalty. Failure to comply with section 5-41 will result in a fine for cruelty to animals.

Per event per animal ..... $100.00

Abandonment of animal ..... 75.00

(Ord. of 6-7-95, § XI; Ord. of 11-6-00, § XI; Ord. of 9-8-15; Amend. of 10-3-16; Amend. of 8-6-18)