The City of Portland contracts animal services to Multnomah County, so animal hoarding is regulated under Multnomah County Code (MCC) Chapter 13 and Oregon's animal-cruelty statutes. Keeping animals in unsanitary conditions or beyond the household's ability to care for them constitutes 'cruel mistreatment' under ORS 167.310-167.330, and the County Animal Services Director may impound animals and pursue criminal charges. Felony animal neglect applies under ORS 167.330 when 11 or more animals are kept in violation.
MCC Chapter 13 ('Animal Services') gives Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) authority over animal welfare investigations within Portland city limits. MCC 13.601 establishes minimum care standards (food, water, shelter, veterinary care, sanitation) and MCC 13.701-13.703 authorize impoundment when animals are found in violation. Oregon's criminal-cruelty framework runs in parallel: ORS 167.325 (animal neglect II) and ORS 167.330 (animal neglect I) make it a crime to fail to provide minimum care, with felony charges when 11 or more animals are involved or serious injury results. ORS 167.332 prohibits possession of animals after a cruelty conviction. Portland Police Bureau works jointly with MCAS investigators and the District Attorney on hoarding cases; the County may also pursue civil forfeiture of animals under ORS 167.347. Code-violation neighborhoods on private property (odor, vector attraction) are separately enforceable through PCC Title 29 (Property Maintenance Regulations), which empowers Portland BDS to abate nuisance conditions.
ORS 167.325 (neglect II) is a Class B misdemeanor; ORS 167.330 (neglect I) is a Class A misdemeanor and becomes a Class C felony when 11+ animals are kept in violation or when prior convictions exist. MCC 13.701 allows impoundment and recovery of boarding costs from the owner. Conviction triggers a mandatory prohibition on possessing animals for 5-15 years (ORS 167.332).
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