§ 4-6. Care of dogs and cats; manner of keeping.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person keeping a dog or cat to fail to provide:

(1)

Clean, sanitary, safe, and humane conditions;

(2)

Sufficient quantities of appropriate food daily;

(3)

Proper air ventilation and circulation;

(4)

Adequate quantities of visible, clean, and fresh water available at all times; and

(5)

Medical attention or necessary veterinary care when the dog or cat is sick, diseased, or injured. Upon request of the Division, written proof of medical attention or veterinary care must be provided.

(b)

Any unspayed female dog or cat in heat (estrus) shall be confined during such period of time in a house, building, or secure enclosure. Such enclosure shall be constructed so that no other dog or cat may gain access to the confined animal, except for intentional breeding purposes.

(c)

Dogs or cats with a known history of fighting should not be confined together or be allowed to be accessible to each other.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person keeping a dog or cat to fail to provide shelter for that animal. Outdoor shelter for dogs and cats must be of sound construction and provide adequate protection from rain, wind, sun, and all elements at all times. The following elements shall be provided as essential components of shelter:

(1)

When the outdoor temperature falls below forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit, all cats and those dogs that cannot tolerate such temperatures without stress or undue discomfort (i.e., short-haired breeds, sick, aged, young, or infirm) must be protected from the cold and heat by being moved indoors or provided adequate heating to maintain the air temperature above forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit. When the outdoor temperature rises above eighty-five (85) degrees Fahrenheit, all dogs and cats must be provided air conditioning, a fan, or another cooling source to maintain the temperature in the shelter at or below eighty-five (85) degrees Fahrenheit.

(2)

Clean and dry bedding material.

(3)

Sufficient space for each dog or cat to comfortably stand up, sit down, lie down, and turn around in the shelter, without touching the top or sides of the shelter. If the shelter is used for more than one (1) dog or cat at the same time, it must provide enough space for both animals to comfortably stand up, sit down, lie down, and turn around simultaneously.

(4)

A solid weatherproof roof, a solid sanitary floor, and adequate ventilation.

(5)

All areas where dogs and cats are kept must be cleaned and the fecal matter disposed of in a sealed trash receptacle so as not to attract insects or rodents, become unsightly, or cause objectionable odor.

(e)

Any dog weighing twenty (20) pounds or less that is maintained outdoors for all or part of the day in a fenced yard or other type of enclosure shall be provided a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet of open space. Any dog weighing more than twenty (20) pounds that is maintained outdoors for all or part of the day in a fenced yard or other type of enclosure shall be provided a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet of open space. An additional forty (40) square feet shall be required for each additional dog kept in the same enclosed area. The enclosed area shall be large enough to provide each dog sufficient shelter within the required open space. Any enclosed area where a dog is confined shall be kept free of objects that may injure the dog. Dogs shall not be maintained outdoors during periods of extreme weather including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornados.

(f)

Dogs shall be given appropriate daily exercise.

(g)

Hoarding of dogs or cats is not permitted and shall be deemed cruelty to animals pursuant to Section 4-17.

(Ord. No. 87-21, § 1, 5-12-87; Ord. No. 2013-10, § 1, 2-12-13)