Feed Your Cows Well, and No Dying Your Chicks: It's the Law

Did you know you can't give a live animal as a prize in Strongsville? 

(Civic groups, cancel your plans to raffle off that armadillo).

Take a look at the city's animal ordinances and you'll find the standard rules -- animals running loose, cruelty, dog licenses -- plus some that seem a little dated, or even irrelevant. 

It's been awhile since Strongsville was a farming community, after all.

Some laws you won't want to violate:

No colorful Easter gifts: No person shall dye or otherwise color any rabbit or baby poultry, including, but not limited to, chicks and ducklings.  

Feed cows healthy: It is illegal to "feed cows on food that produces impure or unwholesome milk."

Don't crowd your cows: You cannot "detain livestock in railroad cars or compartments longer than twenty-eight hours after they are so placed without supplying them with necessary food, water and attention, nor permit such livestock to be so crowded as to overlie, crush, wound or kill each other."

Keep the quacking down: No person shall keep or harbor any animal or fowl within the municipality which, by frequent and habitual barking, howling, yelping, biting, quacking or crowing, creates unreasonably loud and disturbing noises. 

If your hyena escapes, report it: The owner or keeper of any member of a species of the animal kingdom that escapes from his or her custody or control and that is not indigenous to this state or presents a risk of serious physical harm to persons or property, shall, within one hour after he or she discovers or reasonably should have discovered the escape, report it.

Feed the coyotes and skunks, but only if they're polite: No person shall provide food for or feed any stray dog, cat or other wildlife, including but not limited to, birds, water fowl, raccoons, opossums, skunks, rabbits, deer, and coyotes so as to create an unsanitary condition; cause inconvenience, discomfort, or damage to another; or endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others; or in any way render other persons insecure in life or in the use of their property.

Watch out for the Mounties: No person shall knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, physical harm to a police dog or horse.