§ 4-32. Housing and care of animals.

(a)

It is a violation of this section for any Owner, Animal Rescue Organization, or for any person who has, owns, conducts, manages, or operates any Animal Establishment or Kennel or Cattery to fail to comply with the following:

(1)

Housing facilities for animals shall be structurally sound and meet all provisions of the Lake County Code and shall be maintained in good repair, to contain the animals, to protect the animals from injury, and to restrict the entrance of other animals. All animal rooms, cages, kennels, shipping containers, and runs shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate and proper accommodations and protection from the weather for the animals kept within. All areas of housing and confinement shall be maintained in a healthful and sanitary condition. These areas shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly as conditions warrant. All areas in which animals are confined shall be connected to an outside ventilating system or some other appropriate means of ventilation, or air filtration shall be provided. The area shall be illuminated during the daylight hours but not directly into cages;

(2)

All cages shall be constructed of a nonabsorbent material. All cages, except bird cages, shall have floors of either solid construction or woven or wire mesh construction, or any combination thereof. Cages having woven or wire mesh floors may be used to confine animals provided that the spaces between the wire mesh or weave are smaller than the pads of the feet of the animals confined therein. Cages having wire construction shall be constructed of wire which is of sufficient thickness so as to preclude injury to the animals confined therein. Cages shall be of sufficient height to permit each animal to sit erect with at least four (4) inches clearance above the head, and of sufficient width to permit each animal to turn around with at least four (4) inches clearance beyond the length of the body, and of sufficient length for each animal to walk to the equivalent of its body length. No cages shall be enclosed entirely by solid walls. Stacked cages shall have solid floors. Each cat crate shall have a litter pan. Each bird cage shall contain at least two (2) horizontal perches and provide sufficient perch space for every bird confined therein. Perches shall not be aligned vertically. Parrots and other large birds shall not be confined in a cage with smaller birds, or in a cage smaller than their wing span. Pigeon lofts are exempt from this section;

(3)

No animal shall be transported, whether by private or public means, unless housed in a container designed for that purpose and provided with adequate ventilation and food and water or unless transported compliance with section 4-41;

(4)

Any bedding utilized shall be clean and dry;

(5)

All animals which are natural enemies, temperamentally unsuited, or otherwise incompatible shall not be confined together or so near each other as to cause injury, fear, or torment. If two (2) or more animals are so trained or inclined by nature that they can be placed together and do not attack each other or perform or attempt any hostile act to the others, the animals shall be deemed not to be natural enemies and shall not be required to be kept in separate runs or accommodations or otherwise segregated. Any animal which exhibits symptoms of disease or illness shall be separated to the greatest extent possible from other healthy animals. No animal which is known to have, or may reasonably be suspected of having, a disease contagious or communicable to humans may be exposed to or offered for sale to the public;

(6)

All animals requiring the daily intake of food shall be fed at least once every twenty-four (24) hour period, including Sundays and holidays. The type of food provided shall be appropriate for each particular species and shall be of sufficient nutritive content for the health and well-being of the species. Dogs and cats under six (6) months of age shall be fed twice each twenty-four (24) hours, including Sundays and holidays. The food containers shall be emptied and cleaned daily. In addition to birdseed and water, each bird cage shall contain an amount of fresh gravel needed for digestion sufficient for the number of birds confined therein;

(7)

Fresh water shall be continuously available to all animals and replenished whenever necessary during each day, including Sundays and holidays. The water containers shall be emptied and cleaned daily;

(8)

Dogs which have been weaned shall be taken from cages and allowed to exercise each and every day, including Sundays and holidays;

(9)

All animals exhibiting symptoms of illness or disease shall be treated under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. A Suffering Animal may be Euthanized. Every Animal Establishment and Kennel shall keep a permanent record of the deaths of any warm-blooded animals under its control. The record shall state the species of the deceased animal and the date and the cause of death, if known. These records shall be open to inspection by any Animal Control Officer;

(10)

All animals in an Animal Establishment and Kennel shall be properly fed and cared for at all times and the Animal Establishment and Kennel shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition so that the facility is not allowed to emit any offensive odors or noises as shall disturb the comfort, peace, quietude, or repose of any person residing in the vicinity of the establishment. The premises of the Animal Establishment and Kennel may be periodically inspected during reasonable hours by an Animal Control Officer. Failure to maintain in compliance with this section may result in the closing of the Animal Establishment or Kennel and the revocation of any county license held by the Animal Establishment or Kennel; and

(11)

Every Animal Establishment, or Kennel shall keep on record a medical statement from or notation of consultation with a licensed veterinarian, if for any reason an animal in its care would need to be exempted from any requirement of this section.

(b)

The recommended penalty for a violation of this section is a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(Ord. No. 2009-47, § 2, 9-1-09; Ord. No. 2017-16, § 2, 4-4-17; Ord. No. 2018-22, § 2, 5-8-18)