(a) Property of County. Any impounded animal held subject to § 12-4-503 and not redeemed by its owner or community cat caregiver within five days of the owner being notified or, if the owner cannot be notified, within five days of the animal being impounded shall be deemed unwanted or unredeemed and shall become the property of the County. Any animal that is impounded and exempt from the holding period in § 12-4-503 shall be deemed unwanted or unredeemed and become property of the County immediately on impoundment. An animal impounded and designated as potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious may not be deemed unwanted or unredeemed until the process for appealing the order is exhausted unless the owner transfers or surrenders ownership of the animal to the Agency.
(b) Methods of disposition. The Agency may dispose of unwanted or unredeemed domesticated animals by placement as a pet in an approved home, rescue organization or shelter, or humanely administered euthanasia. The Agency may dispose of wild animals by release into a suitable habitat, unless otherwise prohibited by law, placement with a facility or individual permitted by law to keep wild animals, or humanely administered euthanasia. As an alternative to euthanasia, a seriously injured or suffering animal may be taken to a veterinarian for treatment. An animal that is impounded for being a dangerous or vicious animal, and not redeemed by the owner, may not be adopted, transferred, or placed with a rescue organization.
(1985 Code, Art. 12, § 5-105) (Bill No. 41-01; Bill No. 59-17; Bill No. 75-18)