Chapter 6.14
ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS
Sections:
6.14.030 Inadequate tethering.
6.14.040 Tethering animal in a nonmoving vehicle.
6.14.060 Confining dogs and cats in heat.
6.14.080 Livestock prohibited in streets and parks.
6.14.090 Reporting stray animals.
6.14.110 Transporting animals.
6.14.010 Sanitation.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
A. Allow animal feces to accumulate in any open area, run, pen, shelter, or yard where animals are harbored or fail to remove and properly dispose of animal feces from such areas at least once every 24 hours.
B. Fail to remove fecal matter deposited by an animal under his ownership or control on the public or private property of another before leaving the immediate area where the fecal matter was deposited.
C. Fail to have in his immediate possession an appropriately sized bag to be used for the removal of animal feces when accompanying an animal on public property or private property of another.
D. Harbor any animal which is afflicted with any infectious or contagious disease and fails to provide treatment for such disease, or permit such afflicted animal to run at large or come in contact with other animals or people or drink at any public or common watering spot. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.020 Run at large.
A. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal, with the exception of domestic, licensed cats, to allow such animal to run at large at any time, or trespass upon the property of another in such a manner as to be a nuisance.
B. This section shall not apply to dogs owned by the city or other law enforcement agencies and maintained as police K-9 units while under the care, custody or control of a K-9 trainer or handler. (Ord. 2024-911 § 1; Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.030 Inadequate tethering.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tether an animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to enter any sidewalk, street, alley, or place open to the public, or enter any adjacent lot or premises unless authorized by the occupant of the adjacent premises. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.040 Tethering animal in a nonmoving vehicle.
All animals in a nonmoving vehicle shall be properly secured by a tether or other device and in such a manner that prevents the animal from leaving the vehicle. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.050 Property damage.
It shall be unlawful for an owner to permit an animal to damage the public or private property of another, including permitting the animal to spill garbage. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.060 Confining dogs and cats in heat.
A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, any owner of a female dog or cat in heat shall confine such animal in a building or secure pen to prevent contact with males of the same species.
B. This section does not apply to planned breeding under strict control. For purposes of this section, “strict control” for dogs means that the dog is restrained by a leash no more than eight feet in length. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.070 Excessive noise.
It shall be unlawful for an owner to permit any animal to bark, howl, yelp, whine, or make any other noise which by its volume or frequency unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace of any person for more than 15 minutes in any one-hour period of any day, and is documented by three or more separate episodes of such noise in a sequential seven-day period. An owner has the burden to maintain quiet. Animals at animal services facilities, commercial kennels, and veterinary offices, clinics, or hospitals otherwise in compliance with the Mill Creek Municipal Code are exempt from this subsection. Owners who can substantiate that such animal noise was caused by an injury or illness of the animals or by willful trespass, torment, or abuse of the animal on its property by others are exempt from this subsection. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.080 Livestock prohibited in streets and parks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, lead, or drive any livestock over, along, or across any street or right-of-way, including sidewalks, or to be within or on any public park, or playground within the city except with prior written authorization of the city manager. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.090 Reporting stray animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to notify the animal control authority or department within 48 hours after taking possession of any stray animal or fail to release such animal to the animal control authority upon demand and without charge. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.100 Animals as prizes.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
A. Give away or offer any animal as a prize for, inducement to enter, or incentive to participate in any contest, game, or other competition.
B. Give away any animal for a commercial purpose. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.110 Transporting animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to transport an animal in or on a vehicle in a manner in which it could leave the vehicle while in motion. Every animal in a moving vehicle shall be contained or secured. No animal shall be transported on the running boards, fenders, hood, unenclosed bed of a pickup or truck, unenclosed interior of a vehicle, or other part of any vehicle unless a harness, cage, or enclosure prevents the animal from jumping, falling, or being thrown from the vehicle. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.120 Teasing animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tease, tantalize, or provoke any animal with the intent to cause fear or anger. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.130 Butchering.
It shall be unlawful for any person to butcher, slaughter, gut, or dress any animal unless a current valid business license for such activity has been issued by the city; provided, that a person may butcher, slaughter, gut, or dress a wild animal outside the public view for which that person had previously obtained a hunting license. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.140 Animal biting.
A. It shall be unlawful for any owner to fail to immediately report to the animal control authority any animal that bites another animal or human.
B. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine or both. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.14.150 Rabies control.
A. It is unlawful for any person knowing or suspecting that an animal has rabies to allow such animal to be taken anywhere off his premises or beyond the city limits, except the animal shelter or licensed veterinarian, without the written permission of the animal control authority.
B. Every owner or other person knowing or suspecting that an animal is rabid shall immediately notify the animal control authority or department.
C. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or up to a $1,000 fine or both. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)