(A) Running at large prohibited. It is unlawful for the owner of any cat to permit such animal to run at large. Any cat shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on a durable leash secured to an object which it cannot move and on the premises of the owner, on a leash and under the control of an accompanying person of suitable age and discretion, or is confined to the residence of the owner. Any cat running at large is hereby declared to be a nuisance subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Animal pound. Any cat found in the city running at large, shall be placed in the animal pound, and an accurate record of the time of such placement shall be kept on each cat. Every cat so placed in the animal pound shall be kept for redemption by the owner for a period of not less than five days. A “regular business day” is one during which the city offices are open for business to the public. Impoundment records shall be preserved for a minimum of six months and shall show:
(1) The description of the animal by species, sex, approximate age, and other distinguishing traits;
(2) The location at which the animal was seized;
(3) The date of seizure;
(4) The name and address of the person from whom any animal three months of age or over was received; and
(5) The name and address of the person to whom any animal three months of age or over was transferred. If unclaimed, such cat shall be humanely destroyed and the carcass disposed of, unless it is requested by a licensed educational or scientific institution under authority of M.S. § 35.71, as it may be amended from time to time, or a suitable home is found for the cat.
(C) Notice of impoundment. Upon the impounding of any cat, the owner shall be notified, or if the owner is unknown, written notice shall be posted for three days in two or more conspicuous places in the city a notice of impoundment describing the cat and the place and time of taking.
(D) Release from animal pound. Cats shall be released to their owners upon payment of an impounding fee and a boarding fee for each day or part thereof after the first day for which the cat was impounded, both of which fees shall be set by resolution of the City Council.
(E) Persons in possession. Any person who feeds or houses a cat temporarily or permanently shall have all of the duties and bear the responsibilities of an owner under the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 321, Second Series, passed 10-13-2009) Penalty, see § 93.99