Nuisances
The animal nuisance section of the county code has twenty-two (22) subsections, but they generally fit into these four (4) basic categories to which we have added the appropriate definitions from the code:
1. Vicious animals
"Vicious" means showing a propensity without sufficient provocation to do any act which endangers the safety of persons, animals or property.
2. Loose animals
"Running at large" means to be off the premises of the owner and not under the control of either the owner or a person authorized by the owner.
3. Animal noise
Any animal which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise, disturbs or annoys any person or neighborhood to an unreasonable degree, taken to be continuous noise for a period or ten (10) or more minutes or intermittent noise for a period of thirty (30) or more minutes, EXCEPT: such noises made by livestock, whether from commercial or noncommercial activities on land which is properly zoned to allow keeping of livestock.
4. Too many animals at one residence
- Dog License - Requirement
All dogs over eight (8) weeks of age harbored, kept or maintained within the county shall be registered with the Animal Protection and Control Division at all times. - Cat License - Requirement
All cats over eight (8) weeks of age harbored, kept or maintained within the county shall be registered with the Animal Protection and Control Division and shall wear a current license tag issued by the Animal Protection and Control Division at all times.
"Kennel" means either (a) any premises used to conduct a commercial business involving the buying, selling, breeding for sale, letting for hire, boarding or training of dogs; (b) any premises at which ten (10) or more adult dogs are kept for any purpose, including animal shelters.
Cruelty to Animals
Similarly, there are eighteen (18) subsections of the animal cruelty code that issues from two (2) basic categories:
1. Abuse Through Neglect
Neglect or fail to provide minimum care to any animal within his care, custody or control. For the purpose of this section, "minimum care" means care sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal except for emergencies or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the owner.
2. Inflicting Pain or Suffering
Intentionally or negligently cause or allow any animal to endure pain, suffering or injury, or to fail or neglect to aid or attempt to alleviate pain, suffering or injury, including not providing needed veterinarian care.
