§ 5-4. Animal provisions generally.

(a)

Abandonment of animals.

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon any animal within the city.

(2)

It shall be unlawful to neglect to reclaim a pet from the shelter within three days of notification that the animal has been impounded.

(b)

Confinement of animals. All animals inside the incorporated limits of The Colony shall be provided with shelter, water, food, veterinarian care, and sanitary conditions which meet minimum standards as provided by ordinance. It shall be unlawful for any person to confine or allow to be confined any animal under such conditions or for such a period of time as may endanger the health or well being of the animal due to heat, lack of food or water or any other circumstance which may cause suffering, disability or death of the animal. This includes a parked vehicle.

(c)

Poisoning of animals prohibited. No person shall place any poisonous substance or substance which has in any manner been treated with any poisonous substance in a place accessible to animals with the intent to kill or harm such animals.

(d)

Animals in public places.

(1)

Any animal in a public place must either be on a leash of six feet or less in length or inside a primary carrier and must be attended at all times.

(2)

Animals participating in an organized event or competition (i.e., field trials, shows, tracking) may be exempted by a permit issued by the animal control division.

(3)

It shall be a defense to prosecution under this subsection that a dog(s) is contained within an area within a city park which is designated as a "dog park."

(e)

Animals in vehicles. Animals in vehicles shall be confined or tethered in a manner that prevents endangerment of the animal, persons, or property.

(f)

Intentional exhibition of animals. No person shall intentionally exhibit any animal for mating purposes.

(g)

Disposal of dead animals. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to dispose of all dead animals after expiration in accordance with local health, safety and environmental codes. Any dead animal not properly disposed of within 24 hours postdeath shall be deemed an uninterred carcass. Animal control officers shall have the authority to pick up any dead animal found on public property and dispose of it. A citizen may be assisted with same for an owned animal, if requested, for a pickup fee. After 24 hours, the city may enter private property and remove any uninterred carcass which the property owner has failed to dispose of and the owner shall pay a pickup fee or be cited for uninterred carcass.

(h)

Reports to police. It shall be the responsibility of a person operating a motor vehicle to notify the police department or animal control if any animal is injured or killed by such vehicle.

(i)

Animals prohibited in establishments selling food. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any animal, other than a dog that is an assistance animal, to enter or remain inside any establishment in the city where food is served or sold.

(j)

Exceptions. As provided by title 25 of VTCA, § 228.44(a), as amended or pursuant to a variance granted pursuant to section 6-170 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 10-1843, § 1, 1-5-2010; Ord. No. 2016-2222 , § 2, 7-5-2016)