§ 90.123 DESTRUCTION OR ADOPTION OF UNREDEEMED ANIMAL.

   (A)   If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner, or his or her designee, within the period prescribed in § 90.122, it may be destroyed in a humane manner as approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States, or the American Humane Association, or it shall become the property of the animal shelter.

   (B)   No animal which has been impounded for being a stray, or unclaimed by its owner, may be adopted from the animal shelter during a period of emergency rabies quarantine invoked pursuant to this chapter, except by special authorization of the Health Director, or his or her designee.

(Ord. passed 10-6-2008)

§ 90.124 REDEMPTION OR ADOPTION OF UNVACCINATED ANIMAL.

   (A)   Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every animal will be vaccinated for rabies if it is at least four months of age or older. Every person who either adopts or redeems a dog or cat at the animal shelter will be given a proof of rabies vaccination notice at the time of the redemption or adoption. For animals less than four months of age, a notice will be stamped with a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the dog or cat to a veterinarian for rabies vaccination.

   (B)   The proof of rabies vaccination notice will be completed by the veterinarian and returned to the shelter issuing the notice.

   (C)   Payment for rabies vaccination provided for in this section will be the responsibility of the person redeeming or adopting the animal.

(Ord. passed 10-6-2008)

§ 90.125 DESTRUCTION OF WOUNDED, DISEASED, OR UNWEANED ANIMAL.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any animal seized and impounded which is badly wounded or diseased (and not a rabies suspect), and has no identification, may be destroyed immediately in a humane manner. Unweaned animals may be humanely destroyed after significant attempts to contact local animal shelters and/or individual rescuers have failed. If the animal has identification, the animal shelter and/or animal control shall attempt to notify the owner before disposing of the animal. If the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the animal shelter, animal control, or any law enforcement officer may destroy the animal at its discretion in a humane manner.

(Ord. passed 10-6-2008)