HINTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Summers County Sheriff’s Department released a statement Tuesday reiterating regulations as pertaining to the proper care of animals kept as pets.
The statement comes in the wake of an increased volume of calls to the department reporting dogs having been left outside in unacceptable weather conditions.
The release points out that adequate shelter entails a solid structure resistant to deterioration from exposure to moisture which will remain dry.
“Keep in mind that ‘shelter’ needs to be adequate in keeping rain snow or otherwise sunlight off the animal,” reads the statement “Just anything will not suffice.”
Examples of inadequate shelter are provided and include tarps and sheets.
“We will be investigating these incidents to the fullest extent,” says the Summers County Sheriff’s Department.
Additionally, the release includes an elaboration on the legal expectations and ramifications of animal cruelty in the form of WV state code, 61-8-19 (Cruelty to animals) which can be seen below.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for Summers County can be seen here.
“According to WV state code, 61-8-19 (Cruelty to animals), it is illegal to do the following:
- Mistreat an animal in cruel manner;
- Abandon an animal; or
- Withhold
(i) Proper sustenance, including food or water;
(ii Shelter that protects from the elements of weather; or
(ill) Medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end the suffering of any animal;
- Abandon an animal to die;
- Leave an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle when physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result;
- Ride an animal when it is physically unfit;
- Bait or harass an animal for the purpose of making it perform for a person’s amusement;
- Cruelly chain or tether an animal; or
- Use, train or possess a domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal.
- Any person in violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $2,000 or confined in jail not more than six months, or both
(b) A person who intentionally tortures, or mutilates or maliciously kills an animal, or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture, mutilate or maliciously kill an animal, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years and be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000. For the purposes of this subsection, ‘torture’ means an action taken for the primary purpose of inflicting pain.”
