(A) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly uses physical force to beat, batter, thump, pound, pummel, punch, or repeatedly hit, strike, slap, or smack any animal under the person’s custody or control.

(B) It is no defense to subsection (A) of this section that the animal is struck to impose punishment or discipline.

(C) It is no defense that to subsection (A) of this section that actual physical injury did not occur.

(D) The use of physical force against an animal, which would otherwise constitute an offense, is justifiable and not criminal when and to the extent a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect himself or herself, a third person, or a domestic animal to prevent another animal’s aggressive conduct.

(E) Nothing in subsection (A) of this section shall be deemed to prohibit any action by a licensed veterinarian done per accepted standards of veterinary medicine. (Ord. 425 § 1, passed 4-11-2022.)