D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, r. 24-999
Abandon - to desert, forsake, or give up an animal without having secured another owner or custodian for the animal or having transferred the animal to the Animal Care and Control Agency.
Adequate care - the responsible practice of animal husbandry, handling, confinement, feeding, watering, protection, shelter, transportation, treatment, and, when necessary, euthanasia, appropriate for the ages, species, condition, size, and type of the animal and the provision of veterinary care for the treatment of illness or injury and when needed to prevent suffering or impairment of health.
Adequate exercise or exercise - the opportunity for the animal to move sufficiently to maintain normal muscle tone and mass for the age, species, size, and condition of the animal.
Adequate feed - the provision of and access to food that is sufficient in quantity and nutritive value to maintain each animal in good health; is accessible; is prepared so as to permit ease of consumption for the age, species, condition, size and type of each animal; is provided in a manner sanitary for the animal; is placed so as to minimize contamination by excrement and pests and is provided at suitable intervals for the species, age, and condition of the animal, but at least once daily, except as may be otherwise prescribed by a veterinarian.
Adequate shelter - the provision of and access to shelter that is safe; enables each animal to be clean and dry; protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, the adverse effects of heat or cold, and physical suffering; is of a size sufficient for the animal to stand up and turn around; provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat, or similar device that is large enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner and is maintained in a sanitary manner. Wire, grid, or slat floors that permit the animals' feet to pass through the openings, sag under the animals' weight, or otherwise do not protect the animals' feet or toes from injury are not adequate shelter.
For an animal confined outside, the term "adequate shelter- shall additionally mean that:
Adequate space - sufficient space to allow each animal to easily stand, sit, lie, turn, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal, while allowing the animal to interact safely with other animals. When an animal is tethered, adequate space means a tether that permits the above actions and is appropriate to the age, size, and health of the animal; is attached to the animal by a properly applied collar, halter, or harness configured so as to protect the animal from injury, with enough room between the collar and the dog's throat through which two (2) fingers may fit, and prevent the animal or tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals, or from gaining access to public thoroughfares, or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or injury of the animal; weighs not more than one-eighth (1/8) of the body weight of the animal tethered; and is at least ten (10) feet in length or three (3) times the length of the animal, whichever is longer, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, except when the animal is being walked on a leash or is attached by a tether to a lead line. Where freedom of movement would endanger or harm the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the animals according to veterinary standards for the species is considered the provision of adequate space. Tethering of an animal for a period of greater than two hours is not considered the provision of adequate space.
Adequate water - the provision of and access to clean, fresh, potable water of a drinkable temperature which is provided in a suitable manner, in sufficient volume, and at suitable intervals, appropriate for the weather and temperature, to maintain proper hydration for the ages, species, condition, size, and type of each animal and provided in clean, durable receptacles which are accessible to each animal and are placed so as to minimize contamination by excrement and pests.
Animal Care and Control Agency - the District of Columbia humane organization the Mayor contracts with to manage animal care and control.
At large - any animal found off the premises of its owner or custodian and not leashed, tethered, or otherwise under adequate means of control of a person capable of physically restraining it. The term at large shall not include a dog legally in a dog park. The term at large shall not include cats.
Custodian - a person who has assumed responsibility for the care and wellbeing of an animal in place of the animal's owner with the owner's knowledge and permission.
Dangerous animal - an animal that because of specific training or demonstrated behavior threatens the health or safety of the public. The term dangerous animal shall not include a dangerous dog as defined in section 2(1)(B) of the Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 1988, effective October 18, 1988 (D.C. Law 7-176; D.C. Official Code § 8-1901(1)(B)) .
Director - the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health.
Dog park - a fully fenced area officially established by the District of Columbia government for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners.
Extreme weather - weather phenomena that are at the extremes of the historical distribution and are rare for a particular place and/or time, especially severe or unseasonal weather. Such extremes include, but are not limited to, severe thunderstorms, severe snowstorms, ice storms, blizzards, flooding, hurricanes, high winds, and heat waves. Air temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit constitute extreme weather.
Leash - a line which is affixed to the collar, halter or harness of an animal held by a person on one end that is for leading or restraining an animal.
Mayor - the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his or her designee.
NOI - a Notice of Infraction.
Owner - a person who purchases or keeps an animal in temporary or permanent custody.
Tether - a line connected to a stationary object by which an animal is fastened so as to restrict its range of movement.
Vaccinated - protected by a documented inoculation that the Mayor, consistent with the practices of veterinary medicine, determines is currently effective.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, r. 24-999