(A) Any dog or farm animal found running at large or a cat found to be a nuisance shall be taken up by the Animal Control Officer and impounded in the Boyd County Animal Shelter, and there confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than seven (7) working days. It may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner at the discretion of the said authority if not claimed by its owner except as hereinafter provided.
(B) The Boyd County Animal Shelter may in its discretion transfer title to any animal held by it to the Humane Society after the legal detention period has expired and the animal has not been claimed by its owner. In the event of such transfer of title, it is expressly understood that the Humane Society shall pay for each such animal's food until it shall be removed from the Boyd County Animal Shelter.
(C) When a dog or farm animal is found running at large or a cat is found to be a nuisance in the city and its ownership is known or can be determined by the Animal Control Officer, such animal need not be impounded and may be returned to the owner, but the Animal Control Officer will issue the owner a citation with a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) to be paid to the City Cashier within five (5) working days. The Animal Control Officer may, at his discretion, cite the owner of such animal to appear in court to answer to charges of violation of this subchapter.
(D) Immediately upon impounding a dog/cat or farm animal, the Animal Control Officer shall make every possible effort to notify the owner of such animal impounded and inform such owner of the conditions whereby he or she may regain custody of such animal.
(E) Some of the animals regulated under this subchapter may not be reasonably impounded at the Animal Control Shelter or reasonably impounded for a period of seven (7) working days. In that event, the Animal Control Officer, after making a reasonable attempt to notify the owner of such animal, may humanely destroy such animal in a manner approved by the City Manager.
(F) The Animal Control Officer may take into custody wild animals which are vicious, at large, and/or creating a nuisance. Such creatures may be humanely destroyed or released in a manner approved by the City Manager and consistent with Commonwealth of Kentucky and federal laws. If such creatures bite a person, they shall be treated in a manner consistent with § 90.25 below to control rabies.
(G) The Animal Control Officer shall not accept animals from their owners for voluntary impoundment and later disposition.
(Ord. 194, 2021, passed 12-10-21)