<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 10-303 Humane care required.">
  <section prefix="§" num="10-303" heading="Humane care required.">
    <text>Every owner or custodian of an animal must provide the animal with humane care and treatment, which includes providing all of the following:</text>
    <para num="(1)">sufficient and wholesome food and water, which means:<para num="(i)">at least once a day, the animal must be fed food of a sufficient quantity and with adequate nutritive value, in clean and sanitary receptacles; and</para>
      <para num="(ii)">the animal must have clean and drinkable water available at all times;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(2)">proper shelter and protection from the weather, which means:<para num="(i)">the animal must be kept reasonably free of urine, fecal matter, and any other trash or hazardous material;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">the animal must have reasonable protection to minimize heat exposure; and</para>
      <para num="(iii)">the animal must have access to a structurally sound shelter in good repair that provides suitable protection from the elements;</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(3)">veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or to maintain the animal’s health; and</para>
    <para num="(4)">sufficient exercise space, which means:<para num="(i)">the animal must have proper space to be able to stand to its full height, stretch out, turn around, lie down, and make normal postural adjustments comfortably;</para>
      <para num="(ii)">the animal must be allowed to exercise and must be given freedom of movement as necessary to maintain good physical condition; and</para>
      <para num="(iii)">more specifically for dogs, cats, and feral cats:<para num="A.">a dog. cat, or feral cat may only be confined to a cage for temporary confinement; and</para>
        <para num="B.">if a dog is caged, it must be removed from the cage and exercised at least:<para num="1.">twice daily for at least half an hour each time; or</para>
          <para num="2.">once a day for a minimum of 2 hours.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §32(a)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 11-573</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
