Animal Abuse
It is unlawful to knowingly or intentionally overload, overdrive, overwork, ill-treat any animal, deprive any animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, inflict unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal, or by omission or commission knowingly or intentionally cause these things to be done.
An animal owner/keeper must provide:
An animal owner/keeper must provide:
- Constant access to a supply of clean, fresh, and potable water.
- Adequate food provisions at suitable intervals of quantities of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition to allow for proper growth and weight.
- Adequate shelter in the form of an enclosed structure that is manufactured expressly for housing a dog or cat and that reasonably may be expected to protect the animal from physical suffering or impairment of health due to exposure to the elements or adverse weather. The enclosed structure must be free of urine and fecal matter and provide space for the animal to stand, turn, and lay down. It must be accessible to an animal and be of sufficient size and nature so as to provide the animal with adequate protection from the sun, heat, cold, or rain. The enclosed structure must be elevated off the ground of sufficient height to keep water, snow, or ice from entering it. In addition to the enclosed structure, a dog or cat must have access to enough natural or artificial shade to cover the animal between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and must be provided insulation, such as shavings or straw, from November 1 through March 1. Examples of unacceptable shelter include, but are not limited to: underneath or inside motor vehicles, garbage cans, cardboard boxes, plastic or metal barrels, animal transport crates or carriers; or under houses, structures, decks, outside steps or stoops.