(A) It shall be the duty of the city police and Dog Catcher to capture, secure, and remove in a humane manner to an appropriate Animal Shelter, any dog or cat violating any of the provisions of this subchapter. The dogs and cats so impounded shall be treated in a humane manner and shall be provided with a sufficient supply of food and fresh water each day. Each impounded dog or cat shall be kept and maintained for a period of not less than ten days, after public notice has been given, unless reclaimed earlier by the owner. Notice of impoundment of all animals, including any significant marks or identifications, shall be posted at the office of the City Clerk within 24 hours after impoundment, as public notification of the impoundment. If the dog or cat is licensed and wearing the license, the owner shall, within 24 hours, be notified that his or her dog or cat has been impounded. Notice shall be by an attempt to call the owner by telephone followed by written notice.
(B) (1) Any dog or cat may be reclaimed by its owner during the period of impoundment by payment of a general impoundment fee as herein set forth, and daily board fee of $10 for each day of impoundment. The owner shall also be required to comply with the licensing and rabies vaccination requirements prior to release of the dog or cat. The general impoundment fee shall be as follows:
(a) For the first time any animal(s) licensed to an owner is impounded in a 12-month period: $20;
(b) For the second time any animal(s) licensed to an owner is impounded in a 12-month period: $60; and
(c) For the third and subsequent times any animal(s) licensed to an owner is impounded in a 12-month period: $100.
(2) If the dog or cat is not claimed at the end of required ten-day waiting period after public notice has been given, the city police, Dog Catcher or contracted Animal Shelter may dispose of the dog or cat in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations pertaining to the same; provided that, if, in the judgment of the city police, Dog Catcher or contracted Animal Shelter, a suitable home (for adoption) or shelter (to be put up for adoption) can be found for any dog or cat, the dog or cat shall be turned over to that person or organization and the new owner or shelter shall then be required to pay all fees and meet all licensing and vaccinating requirements provided in this subchapter.
(3) The adoption procedure set forth in this section shall be in lieu of destruction of the dog or cat pursuant to Neb. RS 17-256. All dogs and cats shall be destroyed in the summary and humane manner as prescribed by the Board of Health, unless a suitable home or shelter can be found for the dog or cat.
(Prior Code, § 6-108) (Ord. 4-95, passed 11-6-1995; Ord. 28-11, passed 8-22-2011)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see Neb. RS 17-548, 71-4408