A. Animal Shelter:
1. The city may establish and maintain a municipal animal shelter or the city may contract with any nonprofit incorporated society or association which shall provide and maintain an animal shelter for the enforcement of this chapter.
2. It shall be the duty of the persons authorized by the city to operate such animal shelter to supervise and control such facility; to cause the shelter to be kept in a sanitary condition and free from offensive odors; to provide for adequate food, water and shelter; to provide for the collection of animals; to handle the destruction or disposition of animals not redeemed; and to assist in the enforcement and operation of this chapter.
3. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforceable by any animal control officer and by members of the Bettendorf police department.
B. Impoundment Procedure: Unrestrained animals found running at large, nuisance animals, neglected animals, and abandoned animals shall be taken and impounded in the animal shelter and there confined in a humane manner.
C. Notice:
1. Upon impounding a licensed animal, the owner or custodian of the animal shall be given a written notice of the impoundment by the impoundment authority within two (2) days and the owner shall then have five (5) days to redeem the animal not counting the day of impoundment.
2. If an impounded animal is unlicensed or not displaying a license pursuant to section 5-8-2 of this chapter, the impoundment authority shall have no obligation to search for or provide notice to the owner or custodian. (1980 Code § 5-12)
D. Claim Fees: A person claiming an impounded dog or cat shall pay any impound or boarding fees as established by the Scott County Humane Society. In addition, a license shall be obtained for an unlicensed dog or cat. A person claiming an animal must also pay any veterinary charges, if any, and such other costs actually incurred by the animal shelter in the care of the claimed animal. (1980 Code § 5-12; amd. 2015 Code)
E. Diseased Or Injured Animals: No animal need be kept for the period of notification or impoundment if a licensed veterinarian or an animal control officer certifies that the animal is so diseased or injured that it is unduly suffering or cannot survive. In such cases, the animal may be subjected to humane euthanasia.
F. Unclaimed Animals; Disposition; Adoption:
1. Animals not reclaimed or redeemed within the time limitations provided by this chapter shall become the property of the city or animal shelter and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or subjected to humane euthanasia.
2. No unclaimed dog or cat shall be released for adoption to a suitable home without being sterilized, or without a written agreement from the adopter, secured by a cash deposit, guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized.
G. Duty To Pay Fees: The refusal to redeem or reclaim any impounded animal shall not relieve the owner of the duty to pay the impoundment fees, boarding fees, veterinarian expenses, or any other costs incurred in the care of the animal. An owner or custodian who refuses to pay such expenses shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to citation for the same.
H. Nonliability: Neither the city nor the animal shelter, nor their agents and officers enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for any accident or subsequent disease that may occur in connection with the impoundment of any animal pursuant to this chapter. (2008 Code § 5-12)