(a) The director or the chief of police is authorized to seize and impound any animal:
(1) in the city that is loose;
(2) for protective custody;
(3) required to be quarantined under Section 7-2.4;
(4) seized pursuant to a warrant or court order;
(5) that is a prohibited animal and kept in the city in violation of Section 7-6.1;
(6) posing a threat to the public health or safety; and
(7) displaying signs and symptoms of extreme health concerns.
(b) If an animal is impounded, except pursuant to Subsection (a)(4) and Section 7-2.6(e), the director shall make a reasonable effort to locate the animal's owner by sending notice using contact information from the animal's vaccination tag, microchip, or other identification. Additionally, the director shall call all telephone numbers listed as part of the contact information.
(1) A notice delivered pursuant to this subsection is deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received, or the third day following the date upon which the notice was sent. On the second calendar day following receipt of notice, the animal becomes the sole property of the city and is subject to disposition as the director deems appropriate.
(2) If the director is unable to locate contact information for the animal's owner from the animal's vaccination tag, microchip, or other identification, the director shall hold the animal at an animal shelter for a period of 72 hours, after which the animal becomes the sole property of the city and subject to disposition as the director deems appropriate.
(c) If an animal described in Subsection (a) is on private property, the impounding officer may enter the property for the purpose of impoundment or issuance or a citation, or both.
(d) The director is the designated caretaker of a loose, impounded, or surrendered animal immediately upon intake at the animal shelter.
(e) Visitation of a seized animal is prohibited.