IN GENERAL

Jackson Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. I

in effect

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-1 Definitions.

Sec. 18-1. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Animal means any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild. Animal control, division of means the review and enforcement authority under the supervision of the director of sanitation, and empowered to administer this chapter. Animal control officer means any person designated by the city as a law enforcement or animal control officer who is qualified to perform such duties under the laws of this state. Animal shelter means any facility operated by a humane society, or municipal agency, or its authorized agents, for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of this chapter or state law. Feral dog means a dog that has escaped from domestication and become wild, dangerous, or untamed. Kennel means any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee, or selling dogs or cats, or where there are regularly kept four or more adult dogs or cats, or any combination thereof. Owner means any person, partnership, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered. Performing animal exhibition means any spectacle, display, act, or event, other than a circus, in which performing animals are used. Pet means any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. Public nuisance means any animal which: (1) Molests passersby or passing vehicles; (2) Attacks other animals; (3) Trespasses on school grounds, in city parks, or in zoological parks; (4) Is repeatedly at large; (5) Damages private or public property; (6) Barks, whines, or howls in an excessive, continuous, or untimely fashion; or (7) Is allowed by its owner to become a nuisance to people or other animals. Restraint means any animal's being secured by a leash or lead of less than six feet, within the fenced real property limits of its owner, or tethered in such a way that the animal is within the real property limits of its owner. Running at large means any animal's being not under restraint. Veterinary hospital means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals. Vicious animal means any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals. Wild animal means any live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, bear, skunk, fox, poisonous snake, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, or any other warm-blooded animal which can normally be found in the wild state and is not ordinarily domesticated by man, whether raised in captivity or in the wild. Zoological park means any facility, other than a pet show, roadside zoo, or kennel, displaying or exhibiting one or more species of nondomesticated animal and operated by a person, partnership, corporation, or government agency. (Code 1971, § 6-1)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-2 Police department, animal control officer to enforce chapter provisions; interfering with such officers.

Sec. 18-2. - Police department, animal control officer to enforce chapter provisions; interfering with such officers. (a) The civil and criminal provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the superintendent of animal control and the city police department. (b) It shall be a violation of this chapter to interfere with an animal control officer in the performance of his duties. (Code 1971, § 6-2)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-3 Penalty for violation of chapter.

Sec. 18-3. - Penalty for violation of chapter. Any person violating any provision of this chapter, except as provided for in sections 18-13(c) and 18-91, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00 or imprisonment in the city jail not to exceed 30 days, or by both fine and imprisonment. If any violation is continuing, each day's violation shall be deemed a separate violation. (Code 1971, § 6-3)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-4 Cropping dogs' ears or performing other surgical procedure.

Sec. 18-4. - Cropping dogs' ears or performing other surgical procedure. No person shall crop a dog's ears or perform any other major or minor surgical procedures except a licensed veterinarian. (Code 1971, § 6-6)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-5 Leaving animals unattended inside motor vehicle; authority of animal control division to remove from vehicle.

Sec. 18-5. - Leaving animals unattended inside motor vehicle; authority of animal control division to remove from vehicle. It shall be unlawful to leave an animal unattended inside a motor vehicle when such action is reasonably potentially harmful to the animal. The division of animal control shall have the authority to remove an animal from such a vehicle. (Code 1971, § 6-7)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-6 Operator of vehicle striking animal to report accident.

Sec. 18-6. - Operator of vehicle striking animal to report accident. Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal shall at once report the accident to the police department and/or the division of animal control or to the local humane society within a reasonable time. (Code 1971, § 6-8)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-7 Keeping of livestock.

Sec. 18-7. - Keeping of livestock. (a) Horses, cows, mules or cattle. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep within the corporate limits of the city a cow, mule, horse, or any cattle in any barn, stable, or on a lot, unless the owner of such animals shall obtain the written consent of the county health department. (b) Swine. The keeping of swine within the city limits is hereby prohibited. (Code 1971, § 6-9)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-8 Keeping of wild animals.

Sec. 18-8. - Keeping of wild animals. (a) Display or exhibition. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises, or in any roadside zoo or pet store, any wild animal for display or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. This subsection shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, or circuses. (b) Pets. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet. (c) Enforcement of section. The superintendent of animal control shall have the power to release, order the release, or seize any wild animal being kept in violation of this chapter, federal law, or state statute. (Code 1971, § 6-10)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-9 Keeping of vicious animals.

Sec. 18-9. - Keeping of vicious animals. (a) Confining and muzzling required. Every vicious animal, as determined by the superintendent of animal control, shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure and shall be securely muzzled or caged whenever off the premises of its owner. (b) Displaying or exhibiting. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises, or in any roadside zoo or pet store, any vicious animal for display or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. This subsection shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, or circuses. (Code 1971, § 6-11)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-10 Keeping for breeding purposes.

Sec. 18-10. - Keeping for breeding purposes. It shall be unlawful to keep and maintain animals for breeding purposes within the incorporated limits of the city in violation of the zoning ordinance of the city. (Code 1971, § 6-12)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-11 Responsibility of owner generally.

Sec. 18-11. - Responsibility of owner generally. No owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. (Code 1971, § 6-13)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-12 Standards for care and treatment generally.

Sec. 18-12. - Standards for care and treatment generally. No owner shall fail to provide his animals with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and with humane care and treatment. (Code 1971, § 6-14)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-13 Running at large.

Sec. 18-13. - Running at large. (a) Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal to permit it to run at large within the corporate limits of the city. (b) Impoundment of animals at large. Animals running at large may be impounded as provided in sections 18-56 and 18-57. (c) Violation notice; penalty; failure to pay; warrant; penalty for violation of section. In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found at large, the animal control officer or police officer may issue to the known owner of such animal a notice of ordinance violation. Such notice shall impose upon the owner a penalty of $50.00 which may, at the discretion of the animal owner, be paid to the division of animal control within 72 hours in full satisfaction of the assessed penalty. If such penalty is not paid within the time period prescribed, a criminal warrant shall be initiated before a magistrate, and, upon conviction of a violation of this section, the owner shall be punished as provided in section 18-3. (Code 1971, § 6-16)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-14 Removal of wastes.

Sec. 18-14. - Removal of wastes. The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal on public walks, recreation areas, or private property. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property to allow unsanitary, unsightly, or malodorous conditions to develop on his property due to the keeping, maintaining, owning, or harboring of animals. (Code 1971, § 6-17)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-15 Burial.

Sec. 18-15. - Burial. Upon obtaining the written consent of the superintendent of animal control, a citizen may bury within his real property limits a deceased pet if such burial is to be a minimum depth of four feet. (Code 1971, § 6-18)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-16 Abandonment.

Sec. 18-16. - Abandonment. No owner of an animal shall abandon such animal. (Code 1971, § 6-19)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-17 Giving away as prizes or inducements to trade.

Sec. 18-17. - Giving away as prizes or inducements to trade. No person shall give away any live animal, fish, reptile, or bird as a prize for, or as an inducement to enter, any contest, game, or other competition, or as an inducement to enter a place of amusement; or offer such vertebrate as an incentive to enter into any business agreement whereby the offer was for the purpose of attracting trade. (Code 1971, § 6-20)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-18 Selling chickens or ducklings less than eight weeks of age.

Sec. 18-18. - Selling chickens or ducklings less than eight weeks of age. Chickens or ducklings younger than eight weeks of age may not be sold in quantities of less than ten to a single purchaser, nor shall any such animals be dyed. (Code 1971, § 6-21)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-19 Pet stores.

Sec. 18-19. - Pet stores. Stores which deal in live pets may be subject to inspection on demand by an animal control officer. (Code 1971, § 6-22)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-20 Performing animal exhibitions or circuses.

Sec. 18-20. - Performing animal exhibitions or circuses. (a) Devices causing suffering. No performing animal exhibition or circus shall be permitted in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner which will cause, or is likely to cause, physical injury or suffering. (b) Equipment; inspection. All equipment used on a performing animal shall fit properly and be in good working condition. An animal control officer shall be authorized to inspect the premises at any time on demand. (Code 1971, § 6-23)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-21 Elimination of animals—Authorized in certain cases.

Sec. 18-21. - Elimination of animals—Authorized in certain cases. (a) Vicious animals or feral dogs. When an animal is determined by the superintendent of animal control to be a vicious animal or a feral dog, that animal may be destroyed by the superintendent of animal control or his designee providing each of the following requirements is met: (1) The animal is running at large. (2) There is no vaccination tag around the animal's neck. (3) Attempts to peacefully capture the animal have been made and proved unsuccessful. (b) Incurably injured or diseased animals. It shall be the duty of the police and duly authorized animal control officer to discharge a firearm in order to mercifully end the life of an animal suffering from an incurable injury or disease or as the sole effective means of controlling a public nuisance or health hazard including, but not limited to: pigeons, rabbits, squirrels, snakes and feral dogs. (Code 1971, § 6-24)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-22 Same—Certification of personnel authorized to discharge firearms.

Sec. 18-22. - Same—Certification of personnel authorized to discharge firearms. Personnel empowered by this chapter or section to discharge firearms within the city limits shall qualify with the police range officer once every three months and may not discharge any firearms within the scope of their employment unless and until the range officer has issued or renewed the appropriate certification. Such certification shall be issued based on the following considerations: (1) Thorough instruction in the operation of the type of firearms issued to the division of animal control or the Jackson Zoological Park director. (2) Thorough knowledge of all appropriate safety procedures. (3) Competent performance on the firing range. (4) Such other tests or qualifications as the police range officer in his discretion deems appropriate. In issuing the required certification, the police range officer is to take into consideration all the requirements in keeping with good police practice, and will at all times bear in mind the safety of the citizens of the city, and shall require the same degree of competence from authorized personnel as is required of police officers discharging firearms within the city limits. (Code 1971, § 6-25)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 18-23 Roadside sale of animals prohibited.

Sec. 18-23. - Roadside sale of animals prohibited. (a) Roadside sale of animals prohibited. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, to attempt to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease, rent, donate or display for a commercial purpose any animal on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, playground, swimming pool, other recreation area, or commercial or retail parking lot that is generally accessible by the public, regardless of whether such access is authorized. (2) This offense and other forms of animal cruelty shall be considered a misdemeanor and are subject to being cited by any authorized law enforcement official in the City of Jackson, or with authority to do so in the City of Jackson. (b) Exemptions. (1) This section shall not apply to any city animal shelter or nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of providing humane sanctuary or shelter for abandoned or unwanted animals. (2) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a properly licensed for profit store from selling or donating any animals on the walkway or parking lot immediately adjacent to such store's physical address. (3) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the sale of animals by those engaged in the business of selling the same who have obtained the appropriate licenses or permit to conduct such activity, and who have demonstrated to animal control proper shot records and breeding association membership. (c) Violations and penalties. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), a person who sells, exchanges, trades, barters, leases, rents, donates or displays for commercial purpose shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by: a. A fine not exceeding $100.00 for a first violation. b. A fine not exceeding $200.00 for a second violation within one year of any prior violation. c. A fine not exceeding $500.00 for a third or more violation within one year of the first. (2) In addition to the fines established by this section, violation of this section by a person who owns, manages, operates, or otherwise controls a public place or place of employment may result in the suspension or revocation of any city permit or license issued to the person for the premises on which the violation occurred. (3) Each day on which an infraction of this section occurs shall be considered a separate and distinct violation. (Ord. No. 2011-6(2), §§ 1—3, 4-5-11)

Source: City of Jackson, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/jackson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH18AN_ARTIINGEFetched: 11/1/2026