A. An Animal Control Officer may impound an animal if they have probable cause to believe a violation of any provision of this Chapter has occurred and for which an animal may be impounded. The notice and terms of impoundment, redemption, and disposal of such animal are set forth in this Section.
B. Record of Impounding: At time of animal impoundment the Animal Control Agency shall record the date of impounding, a description of the animal impounded, the reason behind the impoundment and an assessment of its identity if that can be determined.
C. Identified Animals: Within twenty-four (24) hours after impoundment of an identified animal, the Animal Control Agency shall make all reasonable efforts to notify the owner of the animal's impoundment.
D. Redeeming Animals:
1. Animals brought to the animal control shelter shall be provided humane treatment and sufficient food and water for their comfort. They shall be held by the Animal Control Shelter for a period of time, as determined by the impounding agency, unless they are subject to other provisions of this Section.
2. This Section does not apply to animals that are sick or injured to the extent that their impoundment will prolong their suffering and a better course of action would be to humanely euthanize the animal in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian.
3. The owner of any animal that is lawfully impounded shall be responsible for and pay all fees and expenses related to the impoundment whether or not the animal is later claimed.
4. The following protocol is required to reclaim an animal, unless otherwise noted:
a. Execution of a sworn statement of current ownership.
b. Proof of current license (if required) in the circumstance the animal is untagged, or purchase of a license and tag.
c. Payment of the impoundment fees.
d. Payment of the boarding fee according to the boarding schedule.
e. Payment of any veterinary and hospital expenses incurred during the animal's impoundment.
E. Refusal to Redeem Impounded Animal; Adoption; Appeal: The animal may not be redeemed by the owner, if, in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian or an agent of the Animal Control Agency, an animal should not be returned to the owner for humane or public health reasons. The owner shall be provided written notice of this decision, and the owner shall be permitted to appeal this decision to the director as an affected person. After completion of an appeal, or after the time for filing an appeal has passed, the Animal Control Agency may either: (1) find a responsible person to adopt the animal; or (2) euthanize the animal.
F. Impoundment fee: The Animal Control Shelter shall charge a fee, set by resolution of the Board of Ada County Commissioners for receiving an animal into custody. This fee shall be paid at time of animal redemption and these fees shall be remitted to Ada County.
1. Fee Schedule:
Dog: | ||
Tagged, neutered or spayed | $15.00 | |
Untagged, neutered or spayed | $40.00 | |
Tagged, unaltered | $65.00 | |
Untagged, unaltered | $90.00 | |
Cat | $12.50 | |
Horse, mule, hog, sheep, goat, cattle, or other domesticated animal | $125.00 | |
G. Boarding Fees: The Animal Control Shelter shall be entitled to charge a boarding fee for the keeping and selling of an animal and these fees shall be retained by the Animal Control Shelter.
H. Annual Report of Fees: The charges associated with the keeping and selling of an animal shall be determined by the Animal Control Shelter. The fees charged by the Animal Control Shelter for boarding and keeping any animal shall be paid at time of animal redemption along with any veterinary and hospital expenses incurred during the animal's impoundment. The Animal Control Shelter is obligated to keep a fee schedule for services rendered available for public inspection and advise the Board of County Commissioners annually the fees it charges for its services. (Ord. 945, 1-24-2023)