(a) Animal Shelter. The animal shelter is the animal custodial care facility for Macomb County. The Director shall hold all animals impounded by him/her as provided in M.C.L.A. 287.388. Any animal found stray in Macomb County, which is delivered to the animal shelter, shall be delivered during normal working hours.
(b) Relinquishing Strays. Any person picking up any stray animal or animal found running at large shall deliver such animal to the Director by taking it to the Macomb County Animal Control in accordance with M.C.L.A. Section 287.308, for required legal stray hold to be completed through Animal Control.
(c) Length of Impoundment. The length of impoundment shall be computed by excluding the first day the animal is impounded at the shelter and including the last day of confinement. If the last day is a weekend or a County observed holiday, the period shall be extended to the next business day. Length of impoundment before the animal becomes County property shall be:
(1) Unlicensed Animals. The animal shelter shall hold all healthy unlicensed animals for four (4) business days.
(2) Animals with current owner information (including but not limited to microchip, dog license and ID tag that leads to the owner). Animal Control shall hold all healthy stray animals with current, valid identification seven (7) business days from the date notice is given, in accordance with M.C.L.A. 287.
(3) Sick or Injured Animals. Any animal that is suffering unduly may be euthanized at the discretion of the Director.
(4) Voluntarily Surrendered Animals. Any animal may be euthanized at the request of the owner for health reasons.
(5) Animals Deemed a Public Health Hazard. The animal shelter shall hold any animal deemed to be a public health hazard until such time as a court of competent jurisdiction makes a determination as to the disposition of the animal or the owner consents.
(6) Animals confiscated for neglect/cruelty, shall be subject to a "Show Cause" hearing. Upon the filing of the civil action, the court shall set a hearing on the complaint. The hearing must be conducted within fourteen (14) days of the filing of the civil action, or as soon as practicable. The hearing must be before a judge without a jury, as outlined in M.C.L.A. 750.50(3).
(7) Livestock. The Macomb County Animal Control shall hold livestock in accordance with M.C.L.A. Act 328 Section 433.16.
(d) Records. The Director shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of the impounding, the date and manner of its disposition and if redeemed, reclaimed or sold, the name and amount of all fees collected because of the impounding, reclaiming, or purchasing of the animal, together with the number of any license tag or kennel license exhibited or purchased upon the redemption or sale. Animals being impounded by Animal Control must be accompanied by specific information regarding how the animal was obtained, including but not limited to the point of origin and name of persons in possession of the animal.
(e) Compliance. The Director shall not release or sell any animal that has been impounded in accordance with these best practices unless the person to whom the animal is released provides satisfactory proof that the animal will be maintained in accordance with these best practices and any other relevant ordinance or statute.
(f) Medical Attention. The Director may employ a veterinarian whenever he deems it necessary in a medical emergency in order to care properly for an impounded animal. The County shall charge a fee for veterinary services and such animal shall not be redeemed without payment of such fee in addition to other impoundment fees and costs.
(g) Microchipping and Vaccinations. All animals impounded by the Macomb County Animal Control are required to be microchipped and vaccinated prior to release, at the expense of their owner.
(h) Payment of Fees. The Director shall not release any owned animal unless the fees and charges for animal shelter services in impound and caring for the animal, disposition and redemption, dog licenses and any other services furnished has been paid in full, These fees and costs shall be periodically reviewed by the Macomb Office of the County Executives.
(i) Unclaimed Animals. All animals not reclaimed within a period of time established for the holding of strays shall be dispositioned at the discretion of the Director.
(Ord. 484. Passed 2-27-23.)