A. Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be the duty of all policemen and the poundmaster to seize and impound any dog found to be running at large in violation of section 6.08.060 of this chapter.
B. All dogs so seized and impounded which do not have a collar and license as provided by this Code and whose ownership is unknown to the Police Department or the poundmaster shall be retained in the pound for a period of forty eight (48) hours and then euthanized unless claimed.
C. The owner of every licensed dog so seized shall be notified by the Police Department in writing of the seizure within forty eight (48) hours thereafter. Notice shall be deemed sufficient when it identifies the dog by license number, states the date and place of seizure, is placed in a sealed envelope addressed to the owner of the dog at his residence as appears on the application for the current license, and is deposited in the United States mail with postage prepaid. Every licensed dog so seized shall be retained in the pound for a period of five (5) days after notice is mailed to the owner of the dog. At the expiration of five (5) days after notice shall have been mailed to the owner of the dog as herein set forth, the poundmaster is authorized to dispose of such licensed dog.
D. Any impounded dog may be redeemed by paying to the City Clerk or the Chief of Police the fee set by City resolution for every twenty four (24) hours the dog has been held at the pound.
E. In lieu of seizing and impounding any dog found to be running at large in violation of section 6.08.060 of this chapter the policeman or poundmaster may, if the owner of the dog is known, issue a citation which shall meet the following requirements: must have consecutive serial numbers, space to provide date, time and location of offense, name and address of the owner and the offense by brief description. The citation shall be issued by the policeman or the poundmaster handing a copy of the original to the owner, or by mailing him a copy as above provided. If the owner does not appear before the court, City Clerk or the Chief of Police with the citation within five (5) days after he has been notified of the offense, the policeman or the poundmaster having knowledge of the offense and who issued the citation, shall have prepared a complaint which he will verify, charging the owner with the offense and present the same to the court for a warrant of arrest.
F. In the event that an impounded dog is not claimed, euthanasia will be administered by a local veterinarian. If the dog owner is known or proven to be the owner, restitution will be required for any cost the City incurs for euthanasia of the dog. (Ord. 440-09, 2009; Ord. 228 § 5, 1972)