A. Whenever an animal or fowl is impounded under the authority of this chapter and the owner or keeper of the animal or fowl is known, he or she shall be given notice of the impounding by personal service or by mailing the notice to the owner’s or keeper’s last known address. The owner or keeper of the animal or fowl shall have 5 days from the date of notice to claim the animal or fowl and pay the redemption fee provided in this chapter. If he or she fails to claim the animal or fowl within that time and pay the fees provided in this chapter, the animal or fowl shall be disposed of as hereinafter provided.
B. Whenever an animal or fowl is impounded under the authority of this chapter and the owner or keeper thereof is unknown, a notice shall forthwith be posted in 3 public places in or about the city. The notice shall contain a general description of the impounded animal or fowl, showing breed, sex, color and markings, and shall designate the date on which the described animal or fowl shall be disposed of unless sooner claimed and redeemed. The date shall be not less than 5 days after impounding the animal or fowl. If no claim or redemption by the owner or keeper of the described animal or fowl is made within the time fixed by the notice, the animal or fowl shall be disposed of as provided in this chapter.
C. Any animals or fowl impounded for having injured a person shall not be released until after expiration of a 5-day period to allow an appropriate health check. Any animal or fowl impounded under authority of this chapter may not be released to the owner or keeper thereof until payment to the City Recorder or his or her authorized agent or to the county dog services (in cases of impounded dogs) a fee and/or charge for administrative costs which may be changed from time to time by resolution of the City Council, plus the actual costs of boarding the animal or fowl.
D. If an impounded animal or fowl is not claimed by its owner or keeper within the time limits fixed in this section, it may be released to any person on payment to the City Recorder or his or her authorized agent or to the county dog pound (in case of impounded dogs) of the fees and charges fixed in division C. of this section.
E. If no claim or redemption by the owner or keeper of the described animal or fowl is made within the time fixed by the applicable notice, and if no person claims the impounded animal or fowl pursuant to division D. of this section, the animal or fowl shall be sold, given away or humanely killed at the expiration of that time.
(Am. Ord. 1327, passed 5-19-2010)