Chapter 6.30
ANIMAL CARE

Sections:

6.30.010    Humane treatment.

6.30.020    Protective custody.

6.30.030    Motor vehicle accidents involving animals.

6.30.010 Humane treatment.

It shall be unlawful for a person to:

(a) Fail to provide an animal owned or in the custody of such person with adequate food and water, proper shelter, veterinary services and with humane care and treatment as is necessary to maintain the good health of the animal;

(b) Physically abuse any animal;

(c) Intentionally or maliciously kill or injure any animal, unless such act is necessary to defend a human being or other animal from immediate attack or as otherwise provided by law;

(d) Leave an animal without attention to or provision for its physical needs for over 12 consecutive hours; or

(e) Abandon an animal which is owned or in the custody of such person. [Ord. 03-2017-06].

6.30.020 Protective custody.

(a) Any animal found not receiving humane treatment as described in SMC 6.30.010 may be removed and impounded by an animal protection officer at the expense of the owner or responsible person.

(b) Any animal whose life reasonably appears to be endangered may be removed in the presence or absence of its owner or responsible person by an animal protection officer and impounded at the expense of the owner or responsible person. [Ord. 03-2017-06].

6.30.030 Motor vehicle accidents involving animals.

Any person who strikes or injures any domestic animal while operating a motor vehicle shall:

(a) Stop and render assistance to the animal, and immediately report the accident to the owner of the animal; or

(b) In the event the owner, or responsible person for the animal, after reasonable diligence, cannot be located, report the accident to an animal protection officer, or to the policing agency with the appropriate jurisdiction. [Ord. 03-2017-06].