(A) Disposition. Excluding animals under quarantine pursuant to the provisions of §§ 91.050 through 91.053 and §§ 91.070 through 91.080, any animal seized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or under any state law, may be humanely euthanized or offered for adoption pursuant to the terms of this chapter at the discretion of the Animal Services Division after the holding period unless the animal’s owner provides a security bond or cash in accordance with division (B) below.
(B) Bond. Any person claiming an ownership interest in any animal confined pursuant to this chapter or under any state law, excluding §§ 91.050 through 91.053 and §§ 91.070 through 91.080, may prevent the disposition of the animal after the holding period; by posting a security bond or cash with the Animal Services Division prior to the animal being adopted or euthanized in an amount sufficient to guarantee payment of all of the reasonable expenses expected to be incurred in caring and providing for the animal, including the estimated cost of medical care, for at least 30 days; however, the security shall not prevent the Animal Services Division from disposing of the animal at the end of the 30-day period covered by the posted bond/cash, unless the person claiming an ownership interest in the animal posts an additional security bond or cash with the Animal Services Division to secure payment of the animal’s reasonable expenses for an additional 30-day period. The amount of the bond/cash shall be established by the Animal Services Division based on the current rate for board and on the condition of the animal after examination by a member of the Animal Services Division. Failure to timely post the security shall result in the animal being immediately forfeited to the Animal Services Division for disposition in accordance with § 91.073 above.
(C) Notice. Excluding owner-surrendered animals, if the Animal Services Division takes custody of an animal pursuant to this chapter or state law, excluding §§ 91.050 through 91.053 and §§ 91.070 through 91.080, the division shall give notice of these provisions by posting a copy of them at the location where the animal was seized or by delivering it to a person residing on the property of the owner within 24 hours of the time the animal was seized.
(D) Security forfeited upon failure to pay costs. If the fees, costs, and penalties owed for the animal are not paid in full by the end of each security period, the security already posted shall be forfeited to the county on the date and used to pay the remaining unpaid fees, costs, and penalties owing for the animal. The animal’s owner shall remain responsible for all remaining unpaid fees, costs, and penalties. Any security bond/cash remaining after the payment of all fees, costs, and penalties shall be returned to the person who posted the bond/cash.
(Ord. passed 9-18-2017)