It is unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously kill,
maim, disfigure, torture, kick, beat with a stick, chain, club or
other object, mutilate, burn or scald with any substance any animal,
except that reasonable force may be employed to drive off vicious
or trespassing animals.
It is unlawful for any person to drive or work any animal cruelly.
It is unlawful for any person to fail, refuse or neglect to
provide any animal in his charge or custody, as owner or otherwise,
with proper food, drink, shade, care or shelter, or to carry an animal
in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner. Any animal habitually
kept outside shall be provided with a structurally sound, weatherproof
enclosure, large enough to accommodate the animal.
It is unlawful for any person having charge, custody or ownership
to abandon any animal. All animals which are to be abandoned may be
turned over to the animal control center or the animal shelter for
adoption.
It is unlawful for any person by any means to make accessible
to any animal, with the intent to cause harm or death, any substance
which has in any manner been treated or prepared with any harmful
or poisonous substance. It is not the intent of this section to prohibit
the use of poisonous substances for the control of vermin of significance
to the public health.
When the Director finds that any animal is or will be without
proper care because of injury, illness, incarceration or absence of
the owner or person responsible for the care of the animal, the Director
may take up the animal for protective care; and, in the event of sickness
or injury, upon the advice of a licensed veterinarian, the Director
may take such action as called for to prevent undue pain and suffering,
including immediate destruction of the animal.
A.
Every operator of a motor vehicle or other self-propelled vehicle
upon the streets and ways shall immediately, upon injuring, striking,
maiming or running down any animal, give aid as is reasonably able
to be rendered. In the absence of the owner, he shall immediately
notify the animal control center, furnishing sufficient facts relative
to the injury.
B.
Every such operator shall remain at or near the scene until the appropriate authorities arrive, and upon the arrival of the appropriate authorities, the operator shall immediately identify himself to them. Alternatively, in the absence of the owner, a person may give aid by taking the animal to a veterinary hospital or the animal control center. The animal shall be deemed an abandoned animal within the meaning of § 137-37 of this chapter. This provision does not apply to operators of emergency vehicles.
It is unlawful to hobble livestock or other animals by any means
which may cause injury or damage to any animal.
It is unlawful to have, keep or harbor any animal which is infected
with any dangerous or incurable or painfully crippling condition except
as provided in this chapter. The Director may impound the diseased
or painfully crippled animal in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter. All such animals impounded, following examination and
approval by a veterinarian, may be destroyed humanely as soon thereafter
as is conveniently possible. In the case of destruction of an animal,
the Director shall not be required to give any of the notices provided
in this chapter. This section shall not be construed to include veterinary
hospitals or animals under active veterinary care.
It is unlawful for any person to promote, stage, hold, manage,
conduct, carry on or attend any game, exhibition, contest or fight
in which one or more animals are engaged for the purpose of injuring,
killing, maiming or destroying themselves or any other animal.
It is unlawful for any person to confine, or the Director to
confine or impound, any wild or domestic fowl or bird unless provisions
are made for the proper feeding and the furnishing of water to the
fowl or bird at intervals not longer than 12 hours; and unless provisions
are made that the crate, box or other enclosure in which fowl or bird
is confined or impounded permits the fowl or bird to stand in a naturally
erect position.
It is unlawful to willfully kill any bird, or to molest or rob
the nest of a bird.
