(A) Any animal which shall be found in violation of § 91.14 shall be subject to immediate seizure and impounded at the animal shelter. Any person finding any animal upon his property, in violation of § 91.14, to his injury or annoyance, shall be authorized to restrain such animal in a humane manner and to thereupon either notify the animal control officer, who shall take possession of the animal for impoundment, or deliver the animal directly to the animal shelter. The animal may, consistent with the provisions of this subchapter, be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the costs assessed by the animal shelter and fines assessed for violation of any section of this subchapter. Upon failure of the owner to redeem the animal as set forth herein, the animal shall be disposed of by the animal shelter as provided in this subchapter.
(B) (1) Generally. Any animal which appears to be lost, stray or unwanted, or which is found to be not wearing a currently valid rabies vaccination tag, as required by state law or this subchapter and not under restraint in violation of this subchapter, shall be impounded by the department and confined in the county animal shelter in a humane manner. Impoundment of such an animal shall not relieve the custodian thereof from any penalty which may be imposed for violation of this subchapter.
(2) Notice to owner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, the animal control officer shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the condition whereby the animal may be redeemed, which shall include inspection of the animal for microchip or tattoo. If the owner is unknown or cannot be located, a notice of such impoundment showing the time of impoundment shall be posted at the office of the animal control officer for at least 72 hours, or until the animal is disposed of.
(3) Redemption by owner generally. The owner/custodian of an animal impounded under this section may redeem the animal and regain possession thereof within 72 hours after notice of impoundment is given or posted as required by division (B)(2) of this section, by complying with all applicable provisions of this section, production of proof of ownership, payment of the assessed fines and fees, any necessary veterinarian’s fee, and daily boarding fees at rates as determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
(4) The provisions of this section shall have no application with respect to animals surrendered by the owner or custodian to the animal shelter for adoption or destruction.
(5) Destruction or adoption of unredeemed animal generally. An unredeemed animal may be destroyed or adopted according to the following procedures:
(a) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner/custodian within the period prescribed in division (B)(3) of this section, it may be destroyed in a humane manner or offered for adoption to any responsible adult who is willing to comply with this subchapter. Such animal may be adopted by a person who meets adoption requirements, pays the adoption fee and rabies vaccination fee.
(b) The operator of the animal shelter shall require that all animals released for adoption from the animal shelter be spayed or neutered.
(c) No animal which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray, or unclaimed by its owner/custodian, shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal shelter during a period of emergency rabies quarantine invoked by the Health Director pursuant to state law.
(6) Procedure for redemption or adoption of unvaccinated animals. Unvaccinated animals may be redeemed or adopted according to the following provisions:
(a) Any person adopting or reclaiming any animal at the animal shelter shall have the animal vaccinated prior to it leaving the shelter.
(b) Payment for rabies vaccination will be the responsibility of the person redeeming or adopting the animal.
(7) Suspected rabid animals not to be redeemed or adopted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, animals impounded which appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or adopted but shall be dealt with in accordance with this subchapter and applicable state laws.
(8) Destruction of wounded or diseased animals. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any animal impounded that is badly wounded or diseased and has no identification may be destroyed immediately in a humane manner. If the animal has identification, the animal control department and/or the animal shelter attendants shall attempt to notify the owner/custodian before disposing of such animal. However, if the owner/custodian cannot be readily reached, and the animal is suffering, the animal control department and/or the animal shelter attendants may destroy the animal at its discretion in a humane manner.
(Ord. passed 9-16-2021)