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Sec. 6-39. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
At large means off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner or a member of his immediate family either by leash, cord, chain or direct supervision.
Dog and cat are intended to mean both male and female.
Owner means any person, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog.
(Code 1995, § 6.08.010; Code 2006, § 95.25; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 6-40. - Impounding.#
The superintendent of general services is authorized to apprehend any dog or cat found running at large and to impound the dog or cat at the Jasper Animal Rescue Mission, as long as those facilities are made available to the town. The superintendent of general services, upon receiving any dog or cat, shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color, and sex of the dog or cat.
(Code 1995, § 6.08.050; Code 2006, § 95.29; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 6-41. - Rabies; notice.#
(a)
If a dog or cat is believed to have rabies or has been bitten by a dog or cat suspected of having rabies, the dog or cat shall be confined by a leash or chain on the owner's premises and shall be placed under the observation of a veterinarian at the expense of the owner for a period of two weeks. The owner shall notify the state department of health and environmental control of the fact that his dog or cat has been exposed to rabies, and, at his discretion, the health officer is empowered to have the dog or cat removed from the owner's premises to a veterinary hospital and placed under observation for a period of two weeks at the expense of the owner.
(b)
It is unlawful for any person knowing or suspecting a dog or cat has rabies to allow the dog or cat to be taken off his premises or beyond the limits of the town without the written permission of state department of health and environmental control. Every owner or other person, upon ascertaining a dog or cat is rabid, shall immediately notify the state department of health and environmental control.
(Code 1995, § 6.08.090; Code 2006, § 95.33; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 6-42. - Unauthorized removal of tags.#
Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful for any person to remove from the collar of a dog or cat the metal tags or badges thereto attached and which were issued by a duly licensed veterinarian.
(Code 1995, § 6.08.110; Code 2006, § 95.35; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 6-43. - Animal care and mistreatment.#
(a)
No person shall mistreat an animal in any way. It is unlawful for any person to inflict unnecessary or needless cruelty, torture, abuse or cruelly beat, strike or abuse any animal, or by an act or omission or neglect cause or inflict any unnecessary or unjustifiable pain, suffering, injury, or death to any animal whether such animal belongs to such person or to another, except that reasonable force may be employed to drive away vicious or trespassing animals. Keeping an animal in an unhealthy environment or under unhealthy conditions as deemed such by the animal control officer shall constitute mistreatment and unlawful hereunder. Any unwanted animals should be delivered to the humane society for proper disposal.
(b)
It shall also be unlawful for any person in charge of any animal to fail, refuse or neglect to provide such animal with sufficient food, potable water, shade or proper and healthy shelter and protection, veterinary care, or to cruelly or unnecessarily expose any such animal in hot, stormy, cold, or inclement weather, or to carry any such animal in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner.
(c)
No person shall restrain a dog by tethering the dog:
(1)
Unattended between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
(2)
Unattended by a tether less than ten feet in length or less than four times the length of the dog's body from tip of the nose to the base of the tail, whichever is greater;
(3)
To a pulley, running line or trolley system that is less than 15 feet in length and/or more than seven feet above ground;
(4)
By a tether the length of which allows the dog to cross the property line of the property on which it is tethered;
(5)
Using a logging chain, tow chain, or other tether that weighs more than one-eighth of the dog's body weight or which causes injury to the dog;
(6)
By attaching a tether that does not have workable swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling;
(7)
By attaching the tether to the dog by a collar that is of a material not designed as a dog collar, that is ill-fitting, or by means of a choke, pinch, or prong collar; or
(8)
In an area likely to cause injury or pain to the dog because of entanglement or because of surrounding structures.
(d)
No person shall leave a dog outside unattended during extreme weather.
(e)
No person shall keep animals in confinement that is too small either for the animal's size or for the number of animals.
(f)
No person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under such conditions that would endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food and water, or any other circumstance that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal. Partially open windows are not considered adequate ventilation.
(Ord. No. 10-2022, Exh. A, 11-17-2022)
Sec. 6-44. - Animal care and shelter generally.#
An owner or caretaker of a dog who allows the dog to spend more than eight hours in a 24-hour period outside must provide the dog an outdoor facility that meets the following specifications: (1)
Outdoor facilities for dogs shall include one or more shelters that are accessible to each dog and one or more separate outside areas of shade that is large enough to contain all the dogs at one time to protect them from the direct rays of the sun. Outdoor facilities shall be kept neat and free of clutter, including equipment, furniture and stored materials as well as accumulated trash, waste, junk, weeds and other discarded materials.
(2)
Outdoor shelters shall comply with the following:
a.
Include a roof, four sides and a floor;
b.
Be of sufficient size to allow each dog in the outdoor facility to sit, stand, lie in the fully stretched position, and to turn about freely;
c.
Provide an environment that will protect from the elements when the ambient temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below ten degrees Celsius;
d.
Be constructed of materials that are impervious to moisture and easily cleaned and sanitized;
e.
Be structurally sound and kept in good repair, with no missing boards, jagged edges or excessive rust;
f.
Be cleaned weekly on all hard surfaces with which the dogs come into contact;
g.
Be free of accumulated trash, waste, junk, weeds and other discarded materials; and
h.
Crates or barrels are not acceptable outdoor shelters, and carports are not acceptable as the sole means of shelter available to the dog.
(3)
All outdoor areas to which a dog has access shall be kept clean and free of fecal matter and all other trash and waste.
(Ord. No. 01-2023, Exh. A, 1-5-2023)