A. Dog Pound And Animal Shelter: The governing body may contract with an appropriate party able to provide the needed services, with an adjoining municipality or with the county, for the purpose of providing suitable premises and facilities to be used by the municipality as the dog pound and animal shelter. It shall be maintained in some convenient location and shall be sanitary and operated so as to properly feed, water and protect the dogs and other animals from injury.
B. Impounding: It shall be the duty of the animal control officer, a police officer or other designated official to apprehend any dog or other animal found running at large, not wearing his tags, or is in violation of this chapter, and to impound such dog or other animal in the pound or other suitable place. The animal control officer, or some other designated official, upon receiving any dog or other animal, shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and sex of such dog or other animal and whether licensed. If licensed, he shall enter the name and address of the owner and the number of the license.
C. Record Of Impounding Animals: The animal control officer shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of receipt of such animal, the date and manner of its disposal and, if redeemed or reclaimed, the name of the person by whom redeemed or reclaimed, the address of such person, the amounts of all fees received or collected for, or because of, the impounding or reclaiming, together with the tag number and the date of any tag exhibited or issued upon the redemption of such animal.
D. Redemption Of Impounded Animals: Any animal impounded, whether licensed or unlicensed, may be redeemed and taken from such pound by the owner or any authorized person, upon exhibiting to the supervisor or person having charge of said pound, a certificate of registry as provided in subsection B of this section, showing that the license imposed by this chapter, if required, has been paid for such animal and upon paying the person in charge of the pound all fees imposed by the town before an animal can be redeemed. All impounded animals not redeemed within three (3) days shall be disposed of in a humane manner.
E. Disposition Of Unclaimed And Infected Animals: All impounded animals not redeemed within three (3) days of the date of impounding may be humanely destroyed. In the case of animals severely injured or having a contagious disease other than rabies which, in the animal control officer's judgment, are suffering and recovery is doubtful, the animal control officer may destroy, or authorize the destruction of, the animals without awaiting the three (3) day period.
F. Interference With Impounding Prohibited: It is unlawful for any person to hinder, delay, interfere with or obstruct the animal control officer or any of his assistants while engaging in capturing, securing or taking to the pound any animals liable to be impounded, or to break open or in any manner directly or indirectly aid, counsel or advise the breaking open of any pound or ambulance, wagon or other vehicle used for collecting or conveying of animals to the pound or shelter. (Ord. 01-01, 7-6-2001; amd. Ord. 11-02, 3-22-2011)