(a) When an unaltered and unlicensed dog or unaltered cat is impounded pursuant to State laws and this Title, in addition to satisfying all applicable requirements for the release of the animal, including but not limited to payment of impound fees the owner shall also do one of the following:
(1) Provide written proof of the dog or cat’s prior sterilization, if conditions cannot or do not make this assessment obvious to the contracted animal control agency’s personnel;
(2) Have the dog or cat spayed or neutered by a veterinarian at the sole expense of the owner. Such expense may include additional fees due to extraordinary care required; or
(3) At the discretion of the Animal Control Officer, the dog or cat may be released to the owner if he or she signs a statement under penalty of perjury, representing that the dog or cat will be spayed or neutered and that he or she will submit a statement within ten days of the release, signed by a veterinarian, confirming that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered or is incapable of breeding.
(b) Costs of impoundment.
(1) The owner of the unaltered dog or cat shall be responsible for any and all costs: of impoundment, including but not limited to daily boarding costs, vaccination, medication, and any other diagnostic or therapeutic applications.
(2) The costs of impoundment shall be a lien on the dog or cat, and the unaltered animal shall not be returned to its owner until all such costs are paid or arrangements for payment acceptable to the contracted animal control agency have been made, including, but not limited to, a payment plan. If the owner of an impounded unaltered animal does not pay the lien against it in full within 14 days, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the contracted animal control agency.
(32-12/92 § 10.05.040) (Am. Ord. 181, passed 5-1-2019)