§ 91.164 NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT.

   Whenever any dog is impounded which bears an identification of ownership, the Sheriff shall make a reasonable effort within 24 hours of impoundment, by telephone, to give notice of the impoundment of the animal to its owner and, if unsuccessful, shall mail written notice by certified mail within 48 hours of impoundment to the last known address of record of the owner, advising of the impoundment, the date by which redemption must be made, and the fees to be paid prior to redemption and release.

(County Ord. 692, passed 7-12-2001)

§ 91.165 PERIOD OF IMPOUNDMENT.

   (A)   An impounded dog whose owner cannot be determined by license or other identification may be sold or destroyed in a manner consistent with this Dog Control Ordinance, if not redeemed within three working days of impoundment.

   (B)   An impounded dog whose owner can be determined by license or other identification may be sold or destroyed in a manner consistent with this Dog Control Ordinance, if not redeemed within ten days after notice of impoundment is mailed to the suspected owner or keeper.

   (C)   An animal that is impounded because it has bitten a person and it cannot be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that the animal has a valid and effective rabies inoculation as required by state law or because it is suspected of having rabies shall be quarantined in a suitable holding facility for so long as is necessary to observe the dog for the required ten-day period to determine whether the animal is infected with or a carrier of rabies.

   (D)   A dog that is impounded because it has bitten a person and is suspected of being vicious or dangerous may be held until trial or other disposition of the charges, or until the court orders otherwise.

   (E)   If the Sheriff, veterinarian, or County Health Officer determines that an impounded animal is not rabid, the animal may be released to its lawful owner, if known, without charge, provided no citation has been issued warranting continue impoundment of the animal. The rules regarding the release of an animal from quarantine are found in the OAR 333-017-0000 et seq. An animal found to be rabid shall be destroyed in a manner consistent with state law.

(County Ord. 692, passed 7-12-2001)

§ 91.166 DETERMINATION OF IMPOUNDMENT PERIOD.

   Any period of time specified in this Dog Control Ordinance for the keeping of an impounded dog shall not include:

   (A)   Sundays;

   (B)   Legal holidays;

   (C)   Days on which the facilities at which the animal is being held are not open for business;

   (D)   The day the animal is impounded; or

   (E)   The day on which the animal is released or euthanized.

(County Ord. 692, passed 7-12-2001)

§ 91.167 DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS GIVEN TO THE COUNTY BY OWNER.

   If the owner of an animal or the owner’s authorized representative releases the animal to the Sheriff, in writing, the Sheriff may sell or destroy the animal in a manner consistent with this Dog Control Ordinance and with the written release. The Board may by order establish a fee to be charged for acceptance of an animal by the Sheriff under this section.

(County Ord. 692, passed 7-12-2001)

§ 91.168 DISPOSITION OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.

   (A)   Upon the expiration of the impoundment period specified in this Dog Control Ordinance, and unless otherwise ordered by the court, the Sheriff may have the animal destroyed, given, traded, or sold to another party.

   (B)   If the owner of an impounded animal is unknown or if the owner has executed a release as specified in § 91.167, the Sheriff shall determine proper disposition of the animal. In determining proper disposition of the impounded animal, the Sheriff may consider:

      (1)   The temperament, health, age, and breed of the animal;

      (2)   The ability of any person requesting custody of the animal to provide proper care; and

      (3)   Other factors relevant to the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the animal.

   (C)   If the animal is sold to another party, a new license must be purchased and an inoculation certificate must be produced within 30 days after the dog is released to the party by the Sheriff. Failure of the new owner to license the dog or produce an inoculation certificate within 30 days shall subject the new owner to liability under § 91.145(B)(7) or (B)(8).

   (D)   If the Sheriff determines that an animal impounded under § 91.165(C) is not rabid, the animal shall be released to its owner, if known, without charge, provided no citation has been issued warranting continued impoundment of the animal. An animal determined by the Sheriff or a veterinarian to be rabid or a carrier of rabies shall be destroyed in a manner consistent with state law.

(OAR 333-019-0050)

(County Ord. 692, passed 7-12-2001)