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15-7-1 - Cruelty to Animals.#
A person commits cruelty to animals when he or she: 1.
Causes one animal or fowl to fight with another.
2.
Intentionally or carelessly administers or applies any poisonous or toxic drug or any material injurious to tissues or organs to any animal or livestock, or procures or permits the same to be done, whether the animals be his own property or that of another. This provision shall not be interpreted so as to prohibit the use of poisonous substances for the control of vermin in furtherance of public health when applied in such a manner as to reasonably prohibit access to other animals.
3.
By act or omission causes pain, suffering, terror or torment, or if he or she injures, mutilates, or causes disease or death to any animal or fowl.
4.
Administers or applies or procures or permits the administration or application of any trapping mechanism, other than a live capture trap or exposes such a trapping mechanism to domestic animals or livestock, with the intent to harm or take the animal whether the animal be his or her own property or that of another. All set live capture traps shall be checked and emptied daily. All traps must have owner identification permanently affixed to them.
5.
Neglects or fails to supply such animal with necessary and adequate exercise, care, rest, food, drink, air, light, space, shelter, protection from the elements, and/or medical care.
6.
Raises, trains, purchases or sells any animal or fowl for fighting or harbors fowl for fighting purposes, which has the comb clipped or the spur altered or who is in possession of an artificial spur.
7.
Is present as a spectator at any animal contest wherein one animal or fowl is caused to fight with another, or rents any building, shed, room, yard, ground or premises for the purpose of holding such a contest between animals; or knowingly suffers or permits the use of any building, shed, room, yard, ground or premises belonging to him or her or under his or her control for any of these purposes.
8.
Abandons an animal.
9.
Performs or causes to be performed any of the following operations:
a.
Inhumanely removes any portion of the beak of any bird, domestic or wild.
b.
Alters the gait or posture of any animal, by surgical, chemical, mechanical, or any other means, including soring.
c.
Crops or cuts the ears, removes an animal's claws or sterilizes a dog or cat and is not a licensed veterinarian.
d.
Inhumanely docks the tail of an animal or removes an animals dewclaws.
10.
Carries or causes to be carried any animal in a manner harmful to that animal. Suitable racks, cars, crates or cages in which such animals may stand, move freely, or lie down during transportation, or while awaiting slaughter, must be provided.
11.
Leaves any animal confined in a vehicle unattended in excessively hot or cold weather.
12.
Continuously drives or works a horse or other animal to a point of observable strain, and denies the animal rest periods. Working animals shall be offered water periodically.
13.
Takes or kills any bird(s) or robs or destroys any nest, eggs or young or any bird in violation of the laws of the State of Utah.
14.
Inhumanely hobbles livestock or other animals.
15.
Leaves any livestock species without protection from the weather and without food and water.
16.
Recklessly rides or drives any horse, or other livestock species on any street, highway, or avenue within this jurisdiction.
17.
Induces or encourages an animal to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical or manual devices in a manner which will cause, or is likely to cause physical injury or unnecessary suffering.
15-7-2 - Defenses.#
1.
It is a defense to prosecution under this Chapter that the conduct of the actor towards the animal was a licensed veterinarian using an accepted veterinary practice or directly related to a bona tide experimentation for scientific research; provided, that if the animal is to be destroyed, the manner employed will not be unnecessarily cruel unless directly necessary to the veterinary purpose or scientific research involved.
2.
Any person may kill a dog while it is attacking, chasing or worrying any domestic animal having a commercial value, or any species of hoofed protected wildlife, while attacking domestic fowls, or while such dog is being pursued thereafter.
3.
Any dog making a vicious and unprovoked attack on any person, except when the attack is in defense of the person, family or property of the dog's owner, may be killed by any person while it is making such an attack.
15-7-3 - Injuries and Communicable Diseases.#
No person shall knowingly harbor or keep any animal with a serious injury, or afflicted with mange, ringworm, distemper, parvo, kennel cough, or any other contagious disease, unless such animal is being given adequate treatment to control or eliminate disease.
15-7-4 - Charge of Violation and Seizure of Animals.#
It shall be the duty of a person filing charges under this Chapter to seize or arrange to be seized an animal found in the keeping or custody of a person being charged, and which are being used or will be used as evidence in the case resulting from such charge. The person making the seizure shall cause such animals to be delivered immediately to the Animal Control Department, or in such cases as may be necessary to a veterinarian for treatment. It shall be the duty of that department to humanely hold such animals until further court order regarding their disposal. The perpetrator of any such act shall be responsible for the costs of impound, board, and any medical expenses incurred during the holding period of the animal.
15-7-5 - Harboring of Animals Prohibited - Duty to Notify.#
It is unlawful for any person to harbor or keep within this jurisdiction any lost or strayed animal. Whenever any animal shall be found which appears to be lost or strayed, it shall be the duty of the finder to notify the Davis County Animal Shelter within seventy-two (72) hours. The Animal Control Director may take the animal into protective custody.
15-7-6 - Motorist Duty to Report upon Striking an Animal.#
It shall be the duty of the operator of any motor vehicle or self-propelled vehicle upon the streets of this jurisdiction to immediately notify, upon injuring, striking, maiming or running down any domestic animal, the animal's owner, the Animal Control Department, or Police Department. In addition, it shall be the duty of the operator of the motor vehicle to remain with the animal or to obtain a responsible person to remain with the animal until professional assistance arrives. Emergency vehicles are exempted from the requirements of this Section.
15-7-7 - Places Prohibited to Animals.#
1.
It is unlawful for any person to take or permit any animals, excluding ''hearing" or "seeing-eye'' dogs, whether on a leash or carried or transported into any establishment or place of business where food or food products are sold or distributed, including, but not limited to, restaurants, grocery stores, meat markets, and fruit or vegetable stores.
2.
It is unlawful for any person to take or permit any animals, excluding "hearing" and "seeing-eye" dogs and trained dogs in the presence of their owners or custodians for the purpose of public education programs or law enforcement purposes, programs or exercises, onto any school premises or any picnic, play, or other public area, except the Mountain Park or as approved by the City Council.