(a) Conditions For Impoundment. The animal control officer may impound an animal committing any act in violation of this chapter, or an abandoned animal.
(b) Record Of Impoundment. Upon impoundment, the animal control officer shall make a record of the animal impounded, and must scan the animal for a microchip within 24 hours, search for identifying tattoos, and check the animal’s rabies tag to aid in identifying the owner. Such record shall include the breed, color, and gender of the animal, and if known, the name and address of the owner.
(c) Notice To Owner; Content. Upon impoundment, the animal control officer shall make all reasonable and feasible attempts to notify the owner of the impounded animal by either telephone or letter. The animal control officer shall record any attempt to notify in the log used to record the impoundment of the animal. Such notice to the owner shall inform him or her of the procedure to regain custody of the animal.
(d) Unclaimed Animals. Any animal not recovered by the owner within seven days after notification is attempted or any animal whose owner cannot be ascertained may be destroyed in a manner as directed by the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act unless the animal can be placed for adoption, placed with a humane society licensed under the Animal Welfare Act of the State, or a rescue group. Any animal which has bitten any person or has been declared a dangerous or vicious animal shall not be placed for adoption, but may be destroyed in a manner as directed by the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act.
(e) Conditions of Redemption. If an owner of an impounded animal desires to make redemption thereof, the owner may do so upon the following conditions:
(1) Present proof of current rabies inoculation for the animal, or pay for the animal’s rabies inoculation, if animal has not been inoculated;
(2) Pay any outstanding fines, fees or penalties imposed by the City and/or a court of law;
(3) In addition to any other fines payable under this Code, pay a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) public safety fee, and microchip and register the animal; and
(4) If the dog has been declared dangerous or vicious, prior to the dog’s release to the owner, the dog shall be identified by the placement, at the owner’s expense, of a microchip identification chip, permanently identifying the dog as the dog declared dangerous or vicious.
(Ord. 1016. Passed 9-12-22.)