(A) It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Bureau to keep all impounded animals for a minimum holding period of at least six business days, not including the day of impoundment.
(B) During the first three business days of the holding period, not including the day of impoundment, only the owner may redeem the animal.
(C) If, upon conclusion of the third business day of the holding period, not including the day of impoundment, the animal has not been redeemed by its owner, the Animal Control Bureau may sell or give away the animal at a public or private adoption sale, provided that the adoption of the animal shall not occur until after the conclusion of the sixth business day of the holding period, not including the day of impoundment. Any such adoption will not be contrary to the public health, safety and general welfare. The owner shall have first priority to redeem the animal any time prior to the conclusion of the sixth business day, not including the day of impoundment.
(D) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by its owner or adopted at the conclusion of the six business day holding period, not including the day of impoundment, the Animal Control Bureau may, in its discretion, either continue the sale or adoption process or euthanize the animal in some humane way and in no other manner.
(E) Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, an impounded animal may be euthanized by the Animal Control Bureau without complying with the above holding period if the animal reasonably appears to the Animal Control Bureau to be:
(1) Suffering from rabies;
(2) Affected with hydrophobia, mange or other infectious or dangerous disease;
(3) Incurably crippled, infirm and suffering on account of advanced age; or
(4) Seriously and irreparably injured.
(F) If an animal is euthanized pursuant to this section, the animal's owner shall be charged a fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council.
(G) If an impounded animal falls within the provisions of Food and Agricultural Code §§ 17001 et seq., the Animal Control Bureau will handle the impounded animal accordingly.
(Ord. 3229 § 1, 2016; Ord. 3170 § 2 (part), 2014.)