§ 14-61. Interference and/or abuse of a police service animal.

(a)

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

(1)

Area of control means a vehicle, kennel, pen, enclosure or other surroundings in which a police service animal is temporarily or regularly kept or maintained;

(2)

Handler means an officer of a law enforcement agency who has been trained in law enforcement activities, performs law enforcement-related duties and uses a police service animal in the performance of those duties;

(3)

Police service animal means any dog or horse used by a law enforcement agency, which is specially trained for law enforcement work, or any animal contracted to assist a law enforcement agency in the performance of law enforcement duties.

(b)

It shall be unlawful to:

(1)

Cause bodily injury or death to a police service animal;

(2)

Engage in any conduct likely to cause bodily injury or death to a police service animal;

(3)

Lay out, place or administer any poison, trap, substance or object which is likely to cause bodily injury or death to a police service animal;

(4)

Taunt, torment, strike or otherwise assault a police service animal;

(5)

Throw any object or substance at, or in the path of, a police service animal;

(6)

Interfere with or obstruct a police service animal, or attempt such interference or obstruction;

(7)

Interfere with a handler in such a manner as to inhibit, restrict or deprive the handler of his or her control of a police service animal;

(8)

Release a police service animal from its area of control, or to trespass within such area;

(9)

Place any food, object or substance into a police service animal's area of control without the permission of the handler.

(c)

A police service animal is exempt from quarantine or other animal control ordinances if it bites any person while under proper law enforcement supervision or routine veterinary care. The law enforcement agency and the animal's handler shall make the animal available for examination at any reasonable time and shall notify the local health officer if the animal exhibits any abnormal behavior.

(d)

A police service animal must comply with immunization requirements provided for in section 14-24; however, a police service animal, while under proper law enforcement supervision, is exempt from all other ordinances that usually apply to animals.

(Ord. No. 100611, § 1, 8-26-10)