§ 5-89. Cruel and inhumane treatment.

(a)

Cruel and inhumane treatment of horses shall exist where a person fails to provide adequate care to horses. Adequate care includes but is not limited to, the following:

(1)

Horses must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or the maintenance of body weight. Feed standards shall be those recommended by the National Research Council.

(2)

Horses must be provided with clean, potable water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal's needs or supplied by free choice. Snow or ice is not an adequate water source.

(3)

Horses must be provided a minimum of free choice protection of a constructed shelter from direct rays of the sun when temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, from wind and from freezing precipitation for all horses. Constructed shelters must be a minimum of 240 square feet for the first two horses and 60 square feet for each additional horse. Four mini-horses or alpacas are equivalent to one horse. Each additional mini-horse or alpaca in excess of four mini-horses or alpacas would require a minimum of 15 square feet of additional shelter area. Constructed shelters must be structurally sound, free of injurious matter, maintained in good repair, and ventilated.

(4)

Constructed shelters except for tie stalls must provide space for the animal to roll with a minimum danger of being cast. Stalls must be cleaned and kept dry to the extent the animal is not required to lie or stand in fluids. Bedding must be provided in all stalls, kept reasonably clean, and periodically changed. The nature of the bedding must not pose a health hazard to the animal.

(5)

Horses must be provided opportunity for periodic exercise, either through free choice or through a forced work program, unless exercise is restricted by a licensed veterinarian.

(6)

All horses must have their hooves properly trimmed periodically to prevent lameness.

(7)

A vehicle used to transport a horse must have a floor capable of supporting the animal's weight safely. Floors must be of nonskid construction or of nonskid material sufficient to provide the animal with traction while in transport. A minimum of 12 inches must be allowed between the withers of the largest horse and the structure above the animal while it is in a natural standing position. Sturdy partitions must be provided at a minimum of approximately every ten feet inside the vehicle. Interior compartments of transporting vehicles must be of smooth construction with no protruding of [or] sharp objects and must provide ventilation. Food and water must be provided in sufficient quantities to minimize stress and maintain hydration.

(b)

No person shall treat a horse in a cruel or inhumane manner.

(Ord. No. 241, § 4, 7-24-95; Ord. No. 621, § 3, 5-8-17)