Chapter 7.08
ANIMAL CARE

Sections:

7.08.010    Animal cruelty.

7.08.020    Protective custody.

7.08.010 Animal cruelty.

It is unlawful for a person to:

A.    Neglect an animal by failing to give the animal that degree of care which a person of ordinary prudence would give under the same circumstances. The care should be consistent with or dictated by the animal’s normal requirements;

B.    Wound, injure, torment, poison, provoke or otherwise physically abuse an animal; or

C.    Kill or injure any animal, unless such act is lawful hunting or is necessary to defend a human being or other animal from immediate attack, or as otherwise provided in Chapter 7.11, Section 7.14.010, and Section 7.15.010. (Ord. 03-06 § 1 (part), 2003.)

7.08.020 Protective custody.

A.    The city community service officer or agent shall have the discretion to decide if any animal subjected to cruelty as described in Section 7.08.010, may be taken, impounded and/or quarantined, in which case the animal shall be deemed in protective custody.

B.    Custody of the animal may not be regained by the owner or keeper while a prosecution for cruelty is pending. The owner or keeper may be subject to fees and/or fines for duration of impoundment and/or quarantine described in Sections 7.16.010 and 7.16.020.

C.    Upon a defendant’s conviction for cruelty under this title or AS 11.61.140, the court may order that the defendant forfeit ownership, custody, and control of the animal which was the subject of the cruelty.

D.    Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the owner or keeper of an animal impounded pursuant to this section may redeem the animal as provided in Chapter 7.03 after completion of the prosecution. (Ord. 03-06 § 1 (part), 2003.)