(A) An impounded animal may be reclaimed by the owner provided the owner provides written proof of a current city license and current rabies vaccination to the Animal Protection Officer at the Clinton Police Department. Additionally, the owner shall pay to the city-designated animal welfare agency the daily boarding fees as established by contract between the city and the agency for each day during which the animal has been kept by the agency, including veterinarian expenses and an impoundment fee as specified below. Further:
(B) If a citation has been issued, the owner or responsible person shall obtain a signed release from the Animal Protection Officer, which shall be given to the animal welfare organization at the time of reclaiming the animal.
(C) Refusal to reclaim any impounded animal shall not relieve the owner of the duty to pay the impoundment fees, veterinarian expenses or any other costs incurred in the care of the animal.
(D) If an unaltered animal has been impounded two times with the same owner, upon a third impoundment, the animal shall be spayed or neutered, with the cost being charged to the owner.
(E) No animal shall be adopted back to the original owner to avoid paying reclaim fees and citations issued.
(F) In the case of a dangerous animal:
(1) If the court finds the owner not guilty, the owner may reclaim the animal by providing a copy of the court order and upon payment of any boarding fees incurred.
(2) If the court finds the owner guilty and allows the owner to reclaim the animal, the owner may reclaim the animal by providing a copy of the court order and paying all fees within 15 days following adjudication or appeal resolution.
(3) If the court finds the owner guilty and requires the animal to be relocated to a new home or euthanized, the owner may not reclaim the animal. The owner shall be responsible for all fees incurred through adjudication or appeal, if applicable, and any fees associated with euthanasia, if applicable.
(4) At any time, the owner may relinquish the animal to a city-approved animal welfare organization. In such event, the owner shall be responsible for all fees incurred until relinquishment.
(G) At-large impoundment fees are as follows:
Impoundment
| Fee
|
First at-large impoundment | $30 |
Second at-large impoundment | $60 |
Third at-large impoundment | $120 |
Fourth at-large impoundment | $200 |
Fifth and each subsequent at-large impoundment | $300 |
(1) The above fees apply for any and all animals impounded in the previous 24 months with the same owner.
(2) Any impoundment fees collected are the property of the city and shall be forwarded to the City Finance Department on a monthly basis. All fees shall be paid by cash only at City Hall or by credit card or debit card on the city's website.
(H) If an animal protection officer impounds an animal without a microchip, and that animal is declared dangerous, the Animal Protection Officer or the Clinton Humane Society or other city-designated agency shall microchip the animal. If reclaimed by the owner, the costs of microchipping shall be charged to the owner.
(Ord. 2485, passed 11-27-2012; Ord. 2571, passed 4-10-2018; Ord. 2657, passed 10-13-2020)