A. Court Ordered Impoundment: If an owner fails to surrender an animal when the animal control officer is either required or permitted to seize the animal by city ordinance, the city or the animal control officer may file with the city court a written petition seeking an immediate seizure order. The city court may issue such an order without a hearing if the petition, made under oath or affirmation, includes:
1. Facts to support probable cause to believe the animal must be seized; and
2. An adequate description of the animal to be seized.
B. Impoundment Of Animals: Any animal found running at large or left unattended or picketed upon any city right-of-way, city park, open space, or other public facility; or picketed on private property in such a way that the animal can enter the city right-of-way, city park, open space, or other public facility may be taken by the animal control officer and impounded. Upon impounding any animal, the animal control officer must make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the impounded animal and inform the owner of the conditions whereby they may regain possession of the animal.
C. Notice Of Impoundment: The animal control officer shall provide the owner with notice of impoundment. Notification may be accomplished orally by phone, electronic mail, or in-person communication, or by written notice via standard mail, personal delivery, or posting the notice in a conspicuous place at the owner's residence.
D. Redemption Of Impounded Animals: If the city impounds, boards, or has an animal sheltered for any reason not specifically discussed elsewhere in this code, or does so because the animal was either abandoned or found pursuant to this section, the owner shall be entitled to regain possession of the animal upon compliance with all animal licensing provisions and payment of all fees and charges provided for in this chapter, including but not limited to impoundment fees.
E. Registry Of Impounded Animals: The animal control officer, upon receiving any animal, shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and sex of such domestic animal and whether licensed. If licensed, he shall enter the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag. Licensed animals shall be separated from unlicensed animals. All animals impounded shall be provided adequate food and shelter. (1975 Code § 6-2-7)
F. Impoundment Fees And Other Costs:
1. When an animal is impounded the owner thereof shall be charged an initial fee of thirty-six dollars ($36.00). After the first twenty-four (24) hours of impoundment, and for each twenty-four (24) hour period thereafter, the owner thereof shall be charged additional thirty-six dollar ($36.00) impoundment fees.
2. If the animal has been redeemed from impoundment and is subsequently impounded, the initial fee and any subsequent impoundment fee(s) shall be double the fees previously charged.
a. By way of example, upon the third impoundment the initial fee shall be one hundred and eight dollars ($108.00) and the impoundment fee(s) shall be one hundred and eight dollars ($108.00) per twenty-four (24) hours of impoundment.
3. If an animal that is impounded or housed for any reason under this chapter requires veterinary care or treatment, representatives of the facility housing or caring for the animal are permitted to obtain the required veterinary care or treatment for the animal. To reclaim the animal, the owner shall, in addition to all other fees and costs incurred, reimburse the facility for the veterinary care or treatment.
G. Sick Or Injured Animals: If in the sole and absolute discretion of both the animal control officer and a veterinarian an animal is sick or injured such that destruction is necessary, the animal may be humanely destroyed prior to the five (5) days' notice period. Notice of impoundment shall be given pursuant to this section prior to the animal's destruction. (Ord. 417, 2-16-2021, eff. 3-18-2021)