BOYLE COUNTY KENTUCKY - - - Fiscal Court members approved by first reading changes to the Animal Control Ordinance that will no longer permit the sale of dogs and cats in public spaces such as parking lots, parks, flea markets and yard sales and such. “This is an emerging trend in communities across the Commonwealth. Most recently, Lexington and Louisville banned the sale of any dogs and cats except by a qualified breeder or at the Humane Society and qualified animal shelters.” said Judge Executive Trille Bottom.
There has been a local practice of people pulling up into parking lots or setting up outside big-box retailers and selling animals without a business license. Furthermore, the animals are sold without any health records and unknown parentage.
Elias Delbridge, Boyle County Animal Shelter Director says, “We are operating at full capacity most of the time now. We are experiencing an unprecedented level of abandoned dogs and we are bound by KRS to take them. There are plenty of dogs at the Shelter or in temporary foster homes available for adoption. We would like to see these dogs in loving homes instead of people buying dogs from unknown sources and unknown health histories.”
In addition to banning the sale of animals in public spaces, Fiscal Court approved imposing penalties for livestock, including horses, found running at large in Boyle County. Delbridge explains, “We make too many calls for cattle and horses running at large. Previously, we had no language that pertained to equine running at large. It’s very difficult to catch and impound these large animals and we don’t really have a place to keep them until the owner can be found. It’s a nuisance to us and a danger to the animal. The fines for allowing your livestock to run at large will start at $100 for the first offense up to $500 for each subsequent offense. Each day the violation exists is a separate offense,” said Delbridge.
The new ordinance will also address the new Animal Protections passed by the Kentucky Legislature in the 2024 session. KRS 525.135 now defines torture and attaches a Class D felony to such acts. Previous language only allowed for a Class A misdemeanor.
Ordinance 842.2 will receive second reading and become law at the Thursday, December 19th Fiscal Court Meeting.
Click Here to view Ordinance 842.2 (PDF)
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