§ 14:500. Definitions.

The following words, phrases, and terms as used in this section shall be defined and construed as follows:

(a)

Proper food:

(1)

Food should be wholesome, palatable, and free from contamination. Food shall be provided in sufficient quantity and be of adequate nutritive value to maintain all animals in good health.

(2)

The diet shall be prepared with consideration of the age, species, condition, size and type of animal.

(3)

Animals should be fed at least once a day- except as dictated by veterinary advice or other professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the animal.

(4)

All food receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitary. Receptacles used to store food shall be kept covered.

(5)

If more than one (1) animal is fed at one (1) time or in one (1) place, it shall be the responsibility of the owner/custodian to ensure that each animal receives enough food.

(b)

Proper water:

(1)

"Proper water" shall mean clean, drinkable water available at all times for all animals.

(2)

Exceptions shall be determined by veterinary consultation or professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the animal.

(3)

Animals who are being worked or are in transport shall be provided water as often as necessary for the health and comfort of the animal. Frequency of watering shall consider age, species, condition, size and type of animal. Activity levels and climatic conditions must also be considered.

(4)

All water receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitary, be of appropriate design and size for the animal, and be positioned or affixed to prevent spills.

(c)

Proper shelter:

(1)

Indoor:

a.

Facilities shall be sufficiently regulated by heating and cooling, if necessary, to protect animals from extremes of temperature and to provide for their health and well-being. Temperature shall not be below fifty (50) degrees Fahrenheit.

b.

The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below or rise above temperatures compatible with the health and well-being of the animal.

c.

Facilities shall be adequately ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health and well-being of the animal at all times. Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air by means of windows, doors, vents, fans, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation.

(2)

Outdoor:

a.

All animals kept outdoors shall have access to shelter that provides protection from the weather, i.e., wind, precipitation, or other inclement weather conditions.

b.

Shelter shall be well constructed and appropriate for the species. Consideration shall be given to the animal's age, physical condition, and hair coat when determining whether or not available shelter is proper.

c.

All animals shall have access to shade from the sun during hot weather.

d.

If shelter is provided for community cats, it shall be unobtrusive, safe, and of the proper size for the cat(s).

(3)

Outdoor shelter for dogs:

a.

The shelter for a dog shall have a roof, enclosed sides, a doorway, and a solid, level floor.

b.

If there are no artificial heat sources, structures shall be small enough to permit normal postural adjustments.

(d)

Proper space:

(1)

All animals shall be able to stand to their full height, stretch out, turn around, lie down and make normal postural adjustments comfortably.

(2)

Animals shall be allowed to exercise and have freedom of movement as necessary to reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. Space and provisions for exercise must be appropriate for the species and sufficient to meet the needs of the animal.

(3)

Space available to the animal must be useable, i.e., maintained in a safe and healthful manner and be free of standing water, accumulated waste and debris.

(e)

Caging of dogs and cats:

(1)

Cage confinement of dogs and cats is abnormally restrictive and stressful and is only acceptable for temporary confinement. Dogs and cats should not be caged except upon veterinary advice, transport, or for other professionally accepted practices.

(2)

Dogs kept in cages for the above reasons shall be removed from them and exercised a minimum of twice a day—once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

(3)

Dogs in cages shall be monitored as necessary to keep the cage free of urine and fecal matter.

(4)

Cats confined in cages must be provided with litter pans and litter material. Litter pans shall be cleaned and litter materials changes as necessary to prevent odor and accumulation of urine and fecal matter.

(f)

Small mammals in cages: Caging for small mammals and rodents, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters, shall be of a size sufficient to permit foraging activities, contain a place to burrow or nest, and space necessary for the animal to exercise.

(g)

Dogs in pens:

(1)

The size of the pens is determined by the size and number of dogs housed therein. Dogs housed together must be socially compatible. It is recommended that no more than four (4) compatible dogs be housed in a single pen.

(2)

Minimum space for dogs in pens shall be same as pen requirements of this title.

(h)

Dogs on tethers; improper confinement:

(1)

The continuous maintenance of a dog on a chain, rope or other kind of tether is abnormally restrictive and stressful and often result in health and temperament problems. In most cases such long-term confinement will cause the dog to suffer unnecessarily.

(2)

However, tethering may be acceptable in cases where adequate daily socialization and exercise are allowed.

(3)

If a dog is confined on a tether, the tether shall be positioned to prevent tangling and hanging. The tethered dog shall wear a properly fitted harness or buckle-type collar. A properly installed and positioned running line is preferable to a stationary tether.

(4)

No other animals shall be tethered unless under the supervision of a custodian capable of handling the animal, and the animal is not a threat to public safety and health concerns.

(i)

Proper light:

(1)

All animals shall have at least eight (8) hours of light a day, except as directed by hibernation, veterinarian advice or professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the animal.

(2)

Lighting of primary enclosures shall be designed to protect animals from excessive illumination. The duration of illumination shall be appropriate for the species involved.

(j)

Unnecessary suffering: Situations that expose an animal to prolonged:

(1)

Fear.

(2)

Injury.

(3)

Pain.

(4)

Physical abuse

(k)

Adequate grooming, hoof care, etc.: Animals shall be groomed in such a manner to maintain health. Animals shall be provided with hair, hoof, claw, nail, tooth and beak care as appropriate and as necessary to maintain health and comfort.

(l)

Adequate collars, etc.: Collars, harnesses, halters and the like shall be monitored so as to ensure proper fit and prevent discomfort or injury.

(m)

Proper veterinary care:

(1)

Emergency treatment:

a.

An animal shall be afforded veterinary care if known or suspected to have suffered an injury, accidental or deliberate, and exhibits such signs as shock, swelling, broken bones, open wounds, blistering, partial or total paralysis, bleeding, or other such signs.

b.

Animals who are debilitated and weakened or those exhibiting symptoms of bloat or other life- threatening illnesses—symptoms such as persistent vomiting or diarrhea— should be afforded veterinary care.

(2)

Treatment within forty-eight (48) hours: An animal who has exhibited signs of severe parasitic infestation or disease such as infection, discharge, weight loss, abnormal skin condition or hair loss, tremors, inability to bear weight on a limb or lameness, or any other such sign over a period of forty-eight (48) hours or more should be afforded veterinary care within the next forty-eight (48) hours. This does not apply to conditions that are chronic or permanent and that have previously been diagnosed and treated or are under veterinary care.

(Ord. No. 9634 § 1, 5-26-93; Ord. No. 15384, § 6, 9-12-12; Ord. No. 15788, § 3, 9-24-14)