§ 4-61. Cruelty to animals; animals as inducements.

(a)

It is unlawful to engage in any act of cruelty toward animals and therefore no person shall:

(1)

Beat, abuse, torment, torture, wound, attempt to wound, or inflict unnecessary pain or injury on any animal; except that reasonable force may be used to drive away any dangerous, menacing, or trespassing animal, or any animal that is attacking, or is about to attack, any person or other domestic animal;

(2)

Disturb, take, or injure in any way the nest, eggs, or young of any wild bird or bird of prey;

(3)

Leave any animal unattended inside a motor vehicle or enclosed trailer when the outside temperature exceeds 86 degrees Farenheit (30 degrees Celsius); or

(4)

Administer poison to any animal, or knowingly leave any poisonous substance of any kind or ground glass in any place with the intent to injure any animal; except that the provisions of this section are not applicable to licensed veterinarians for humanitarian purposes, licensed exterminators using poisons as part of a pest control program, or the use of commercial insecticides and rodent baits used to control insects or wild rodents.

(b)

No person shall own, keep, or otherwise possess, or slaughter any domesticated animal for food consumption purposes. This section applies to any cult that kills or sacrifices animals for, or as part of, any type of ritual, regardless of whether or not the flesh or blood of the animal is to be consumed. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as prohibiting:

(1)

Any duly licensed business from slaughtering animals for food consumption purposes which are specifically raised for said purposes; or

(2)

The slaughtering of an animal where the animal is maintained for the purposes of consumption as part of a bona fide religious observance.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for any person to give away or use any live animal, excluding goldfish, as a novelty or prize, or, as an inducement to enter any contest, game, or other competition, or, as an inducement to enter a retail establishment, including a place of amusement.

(Code 1993, § 4-3.2; Ord. No. 2011-O-32, 5-10-2011)