(A) Animal Control Officer. The city has an independent contractor relationship with an Animal Control Officer. The Duties of the Animal Control Officer are on file at the City Administrator's office.
(B) Dog pound.
(1) The city maintains and operates a shelter for the temporary housing of canines only.
(2) The shelter is a service for residents of the city. Canines from outside the city will be accepted only in the circumstance when a dog has been deemed potentially dangerous or dangerous under Minnesota State Statutes. The canine will be held for other law enforcement agencies within Aitkin County until the matter has been remedied in court.
(3) The shelter will temporarily house canines in emergency circumstances for law enforcement agencies within Aitkin County for purposes such as arrest of the owner and no other arrangements can be made for the canine. In such cases, the owner of said canine shall be billed at the rate as set by the city as listed in § 33.01.
(4) Felines or other such domestic animals will not be accepted nor picked up by the Animal Control Officer or Police Officers and brought to this shelter.
(C) Description/notice.
(1) Impounding officers shall record the description of the canine by breed, sex, approximate age, and distinguishing traits, as well as location of seizure, date of seizure, name and address of owner of canine (if known) as required by Minnesota State Statutes.
(2) Upon impounding any canine, the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer shall immediately post on the bulletin board at the City Hall a “Notice of Impoundment.” All attempts will be made to notify the owner of the canine (if known).
(D) Fees/charges.
(2) A charge per day, as set by the city from time to time and listed in § 33.01, will be assessed thereafter until the owner or representative of the owner picks up the canine.
(E) Care of veterinarian. If a canine that has been taken into the shelter requires the care of a veterinarian, such care will be provided. The city will pay for the care; however, if the owner or representative claims the canine, the owner or representative must reimburse the city for the veterinarian expense before the canine will be released.
(F) Release of canine.
(1) Canines will only be released to owners or persons previously in possession of the canine unless authorized.
(2) Canines will only be released from the shelter upon the owner or representative paying all impound fees, pickup fees, and veterinarian fees (if any); and producing a valid dog license from the city (if applicable).
(3) The Animal Control Officer will fill out a City of Aitkin Shelter Release form, which will be kept on file for as long as deemed necessary.
(G) Uncollected canine.
(1) After seven days, if the canine has not been collected by the owner or representative, the Animal Control Officer shall dispose of the canine by ordinance unless the owner or representative contacts the Animal Control Officer to make arrangements for the canine. All attempts will be made to collect the impound fees, pickup fees, and veterinarian fees (if any) from the owner (if known).
(2) If deemed suitable, the canine will be placed for adoption. Adoptive owners may make a donation to the city to help offset the cost of caring for the canine while it was in the shelter. However, a donation is not required.
(3) The goal of the city is to maintain a “no kill” shelter facility. Every attempt will be made to provide a safe, secure home for the canine.