§ 8-131. Cruelty to animals prohibited.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to beat, inflict violence upon or kill, or to overdrive, overload, drive when overloaded, overwork, torture or mutilate, or to otherwise treat in a cruel, dangerous or inhumane manner, any animal, or to cause any of such acts to be done.

(b)

It shall specifically be cruel, dangerous, or inhumane for any person to:

(1)

In a public place, transport an animal in or on any motor vehicle or trailer unless the animal is safely restrained.

a.

As used in this section, restrained is defined as enclosed within a vehicle or trailer with no openings large enough to permit the animal to exit the vehicle or trailer on its own, or placed within a secured container, cage or other enclosure or restraining device sufficient to prevent the animal from falling from, being thrown from or jumping from the vehicle.

b.

As used in this section, public place is defined as any place open to and generally used by the public, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, streets, highways, alleys, parking lots, schools and commercial establishments.

(2)

Leave an animal in an unattended vehicle either without adequate ventilation or in any manner which subjects the animal to extreme temperatures that are dangerous or detrimental to the animal's health or welfare.

(3)

Tether and leave, or permit to be left, unattended any animal on a leash, cord or chain in such a manner as to cause distress to the animal.

(c)

It shall be an affirmative defense to subsection (a) of this section when the act is a reasonable act of self-defense or euthanasia under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, or that the actual or intended victim of any attack:

(1)

Made an unlawful entry into the dwelling of the animal's owner or keeper;

(2)

Made unlawful entry into a vehicle in which the animal was confined;

(3)

Threatened or attacked an owner or keeper of the animal;

(4)

Provoked, tormented, abused, or inflicted injury upon the animal in such a manner as to result in the attack or bite; or

(5)

Attempted to assault another person.

(Ord. No. 672-18, § 1, 7-16-18)