(A) The Animal Control Officer shall hold impounded animals for not less than 5 working days, so that the owner or custodian may claim it prior to other disposition. Dogs that are not wearing a current license tag when impounded shall be held for not less than 3 working days. Livestock or ratite shall be held for not less than 7 days total, including advertising time.
(B) At the expiration of the prescribed holding time, anyone may claim the animal, other than livestock and ratite, provided that such person pays all impound fees and complies with all licensing provisions. Animals relinquished by their owners may be humanely destroyed without regard to the prescribed holding time in order to alleviate suffering or to protect other impounded animals from exposure to contagious diseases. Any animal not claimed or sold at public auction under the provisions of this section, shall be disposed of in a humane manner within the prescribed holding time. Charitable organizations such as animal shelters taking unwanted animals may be exempt from fees and release agreements.
(C) The adopting party, or the owner seeking release of their dog, must sign an agreement to have the animal vaccinated within 30 days or before 6 months of age, and deposit with the town, an amount as outlined in the fee schedule, to ensure that the animal will be vaccinated and licensed. An owner seeking the release of an unlicensed dog may receive a citation for failure to have the dog licensed and for an animal at large. The town shall refund to the adopting party any monies deposited pursuant to the agreement if within the time provided in the agreement there is presented a written statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that the adopted dog has been vaccinated. If the adopting party or owner does not vaccinate the animal and provide a receipt to the town within 30 days, the fee is forfeited to the town and the owner may receive a citation for not having the dog licensed.
(D) The Animal Control Officer may utilize the impound facility or services of the town, the county, state, or any other appropriate facility as needed. The Animal Control Officer has discretion to transfer any impounded livestock to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, brand inspector for state impound.
(E) If the owner of a large animal or livestock is unknown or cannot be located within the prescribed holding period, the Animal Control Officer may sell the animal at a public auction following state guidelines. At any time, the Animal Control Officer may transfer the animal to the state livestock officer.
(F) The owner of a stray animal may take possession of the animal at any time prior to sale by proving ownership and paying the impound fees and all expenses incurred in keeping and caring for the animal.
(G) The town shall give the purchaser a bill of sale upon payment of amount of bid. The owner of an animal sold may take possession of it at any time before the purchaser sells it by paying to the purchaser the purchase price paid at the sale, together with the expense of keeping and caring for the animal from the date of sale to the time the owner takes possession of the animal.
(Ord. 2007-3, passed 7-16-2007; Am. Ord. 2011-01, passed 5-11-2011; Am. Ord. 2016-01, passed 6-13-2016)