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Additional Back-up 10.B.1. 6/22/2021 The term "companion animal" is defined by "any dog or cat, and shall also mean any other domesticated animal traditionally maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for such other domesticated animal. PENALTIES: Any person who violates this ordnance shall be subject to the penalties provided by Chapter 828.12 s. 775.082. (Cruelty to animals - A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, commits animal cruelty, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5, 000, or both.) Each animal displayed, performing, ridden or exhibited in any manner shall count as a separate violation. Each occurrence shall count as a separate violation. SEVERABILITY: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance or any application thereo to -any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of the Ordinance. EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately. JUSTIFICATION: As explained below, the Ordinance is necessary to protect wild animals—many of which are endangered or threatened species used in circuses because (a) the tricks that such wild animals are forced to perform often involve physical coercion and abuse, (b) extensive travel and prolonged confinement of animals in circuses can be detrimental to their physical and psychological health and welfare, (c) the public safety and the safety of workers may be put at risk by exhibiting wild animals in circuses, (d) circuses teach children inhumane and distorted lessons about wildlife, and (e) current law—including the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) does not adequately protect circus animals from abuse and mistreatment. a. The Tricks that Wild Animals Are Forced to Perform in Circuses Often Involve Physical Coercion and Abusive Tactics. The tricks that animals are forced to perform in circuses, such as headstands and jumping through rings of fire, often involve physical coercion and abusive tactics. In particular, these are not behaviors animals would perform in nature and, in order to make animals perform them, some exhibitors use training methods that result in trauma, physical injury and, in extreme circumstances, death. Moreover, performances in front of an audience and the attendant loud noise and bright lights cause wild animals stress. � / . A- 2--