A. Grounds For Impoundment: An animal control officer is hereby authorized and directed to impound any of the following animals:
1. Any dog that does not exhibit evidence of vaccination as required by this chapter.
2. Any animal other than a cat that is found to be running at large.
3. Any animal, dog or cat, that is subject to quarantine as provided in this chapter.
4. Any animal found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
B. Redemption/Impoundment: Owners may redeem or impound their animals.
1. Owners requesting impoundment of an animal shall be required to sign a release. Such owner will still have to pay the impounding fee. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.)
2. The owner of any animal impounded at the shelter may reclaim the animal after paying all required fees imposed by the impound facility.
3. Any expenses incurred by the impoundment of any animal shall be paid by the owner even if the owner does not reclaim the animal including payment of any and all veterinary expenses incurred for the welfare of the animal.
4. The owner of any impounded dog or cat that has not been vaccinated against rabies as required by this chapter may redeem the animal by paying for the vaccination plus any other charges at the animal shelter. If such owner fails to procure a vaccination certificate within four (4) days (96 hours), the paid vaccination fee shall be forfeited and the animal may be impounded again.
5. The New Mexico sterilization act mandates that no animal shall be released from an animal shelter to an adopting person unless a sterilization agreement has been signed and a sterilization deposit has been paid. The surgery for adult animals will either be done before the animal is released or at an appointment made for the surgery at adoption. Puppies and kittens by six (6) months of age and older cats and dogs within thirty (30) days of adoption. The voucher received for the deposit will be accepted by the doctor doing the surgery as partial payment and reimbursed by the shelter. If verification of spay/neuter is not received within the appointed time the owner will be given a citation for violating this chapter and the animal may be redeemed by the shelter.
6. Intact animals impounded at the shelter must be spayed ar neutered before they can be reclaimed unless they were registered as breeding stock when issued a city license. It may be released after impoundment fees are paid plus a sterilization deposit and an appointment made for the surgery. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.) The voucher received for the deposit will be accepted by the doctor doing the surgery as partial payment and reimbursed by the shelter. If verification of spay/neuter is not received within the appointed time the owner will be given a citation for violating this chapter and the animal may be redeemed by the shelter.
7. The day following the required impoundment period the animals become the property of the shelter. (Ord. 1067, 9-9-2002)