AG 1996 03 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 6. (Reserved) Section 7. Cruelty to animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, wound, injure, poison, abandon or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare any animal, or to cause or procure such action. The words "torture" and "torment" shall be held to include every act, omission or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted; but such terms shall not be construed to prohibit lawful taking of animals under the jurisdiction and regulation of the Wildlife Resources Commission; nor to prohibit the Animal Control Department or its agents or veterinarians from destroying dangerous, unwanted, or injured animals in a humane manner; not to prohibit any individual from killing a dangerous animal in imminent defense of person or property; not to prohibit the lawful use of animals in scientific research. Section 8. Abandonment of Animals. Any person being the owner or possessor, or having charge or custody of an animal, who willfully and without justifiable excuse abandons the animal is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to One Thousand dollars ($1,000)) and imprisonment for up to Sixty Days (General Statute 14-361.1) Section 9. (1) (2) Restraint of Animals. Physical Restraint of Animal. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, excluding cats, to keep such animal on his premises or off the premises unless such animal is under sufficient physical restraint such as a leash, bridle, ~age, or similar device which restrains and controls the animal, or within a vehicle or adequately contained by a fence on the premises or other secure enclosure. If it is an effective, working invisible fence, then there must be a visible, permanent sign on the premises stating that there is an invisible fence. Provided, however, animals kept on premises five (5) acres or greater in size do not have to be kept within a fence or other secure enclosure, or under any physical restraint while on such premises. Adult with Animal on Premises. If a responsible adult is physically outside on the land immediately adjacent to the animal, on the land where the owner of the animal resides, and the animal is under the person's direct control and is obedient to that person's commands, then this section shall not apply during the duration of time the animal is in the company and under the control of that adult and the animal is on the premises. "Adult" is defined as eighteen (18) years of age or older.