§ 4-60. Animal neglect.

(a)

An owner of any animal is guilty of animal neglect if that person:

(1)

Fails to supply his animal with a sufficient quantity of food and clean potable water;

(2)

Fails to provide adequate shelter in terms of proper ventilation, appropriate size for the animal and with sufficient protection of the animal from inclement weather, including heat, cold, moisture, and other such weather conditions;

(3)

Fails to provide adequate veterinary care consisting, at a minimum, of proper immunizations and preventive health care including parasite control; and all sick, diseased, or injured animals shall be provided with a proper program of care by a veterinarian, or humanely euthanized;

(4)

Tortures, mutilates, beats, kicks, or hits an animal by any means or otherwise causes unjustified pain, distress or suffering;

(5)

Abandons any animal on a street, highway or public place, or on private property when not in the care of another person; or

(6)

Fails to adequately and periodically clean or sanitize any area, enclosure, or other housing facility where the animal is confined or restrained and remove excreta and other waste materials and dirt, so as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and the potential for disease.

(b)

Exemption. This section does not apply to animals kept or owned for teaching or research purposes at a licensed medical institution, or educational facility (elementary or middle school, junior high school, high school, or university or college), provided that the institution performs functions within the scope of accepted practices and disciplines associated with the institution.

(Code 1993, § 4-3.1; Ord. No. 2011-O-32, 5-10-2011)