Animal Control Facts

Cruelty to Animals

No person shall cruelly mistreat, abandon or withhold from a domestic animal food, water, shelter that protects from the elements, exercise or medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandon any domesticated animal to die, or intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly leave an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle when physical injury to or death of an animal is likely to result, or ride an animal when it is physically unfit, or bait or harass any animal for the purpose of making it perform for a person’s amusement, or cruelly chain, tether or confine outside any animal or use, train or possess any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal.

Food & Water

• Potable water must be available at all times.
• Food and water is to provided in a clean container.
• Food shall be of sufficient in quantity and of nutritive value.

Shelter

All domestic animals shall be provided with sanitary and safe shelter from the elements. Said shelter shall be designed, constructed and maintained to protect the animal from rain, snow, ice, excessive cold, excessive heat and excessive direct sunlight, and of adequate size to allow the animal sufficient space to stand, turn around, and lie down.

Examples of inadequate shelters include, but are not limited to, lean-tos, metal or plastic drums, boxes, vehicles, or area on or beneath exposed porches or decks.

Enforcement: Penalties for Violation

First offense: The owner or guardian will be given a reasonable amount of time to correct the violation, not to exceed 72 hours.

Animals Running at Large Prohibited

No owner or person having charge of any horse, mule, goat, hog, cattle or other animal shall permit the animal to run at large upon any street within the city.