Unlawful Actions

With links to Chapter 5 Ordinances.

Mistreatment or Abuse: such as plucking feathers, throwing rocks, hitting with sticks, etc.

• Sec. 5-4. - Cruelty to animals
• Sec. 5-5. - Killing animals in a public place
• Sec. 5-7. - Ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal
• Sec. 5-12. - Exposing animals to poisonous substances

Inhumane Trapping: such as steel-jaw traps, snares, traps that cut, slice, tear, or traumatize, etc.

• Sec. 5-12. - Exposing animals to poisonous substances
• Sec. 5-13. - Traps with holding mechanisms prohibited; exceptions
• Sec. 5-14. - Animal traps without holding mechanism

Inhumane housing or care of owned and confined animals: no fresh water, species-specific food, shelter, etc.

• Sec. 5-14. - Animal traps without holding mechanism
• Sec. 5-6. - Standard of care
• Sec. 5-9. - Flooring standards for animal housing
• Sec. 5-15. - Safety of animals in motor vehicles
• Sec. 5-18. - Animal waste; sanitation standards
• Sec. 5-20. - Fastening animals
• Sec 5-11- Illegal animal sales

How You Can Help!

If you believe that you have witnessed a violation of a Chapter 5 Ordinance listed above (and you can do so safely), please have some of the following items in order to help Animal Care Officers seek justice:

• Video or photos of the crime being committed.
• These should have a clear image of the suspected offender, the crime being committed, or clear indication of the abuse the animal has suffered.
• Evidence that the animal in question is injured.
• This could be video or photos of the injuries the animals has suffered.
• This could be showing other types of evidence such as the weapon used, illegal trapping techniques, or blood trails.
• Witness testimonies from citizens that saw the offense being committed.
• Clear descriptions of the suspected offender(s) as well as the crime they are believed to have committed.
• Times and locations.
• Animal(s) involved in the act(s) of cruelty or neglect.