§ 6-21 — VIOLATIONS

§ 6-21 VIOLATIONS.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors or has custody of any dog or cat over four months of age without complying with this article. (b) Defenses. (1) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that at the time of the offense the person was using the animal in a research program at an institution of higher education which is accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. (2) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the dog or cat owner is a nonresident of this city and is keeping the subject pet in the city for fewer than 60 days; (3) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the dog or cat owner has been a resident of this city for fewer than 30 days; or (4) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the dog or cat had been abandoned or lost and the temporary owner has had the dog or cat for fewer than 30 days. (5) It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the animal is a feral cat in the city's trap, neuter and return program. (Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 1, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)