A. An owner of an impounded animal or his agent may redeem the animal, prior to its sale or destruction as provided for herein, by paying the required fees against the animal and meeting any other requirements which may be prescribed in this part. However, when in the judgment of an animal control officer, an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons, such animal may not be redeemed.
B. Animals impounded by reason of running at large may be redeemed at any time within seventy two (72) hours, not counting weekends and holidays, by payment of required impoundment and boarding fees. Animals redeemed on the day of impoundment shall be subject to boarding fees for one day.
C. No dog, cat or ferret shall be released from impoundment unless the owner shows evidence of a current rabies vaccination, or a prepayment receipt for a rabies vaccination, by a licensed veterinarian.
D. Dogs and cats impounded for reasons other than running at large, and other animals impounded pursuant to the authority of this part, shall be released, redeemed, destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to the procedures that pertain to said animal or the circumstances of the impoundment. Provided, that if no such procedures apply, then an animal control officer is authorized to determine and act upon those procedures that are in the best interests of the animal and the public with proper regard for due process.
E. When a police officer effects a custodial arrest of a person having an animal in his immediate possession and no other responsible person of at least eighteen (18) years of age is immediately present to take custody of an animal, the animal will be impounded for the animal's welfare. The owner, if other than the arrestee, will be contacted and the disposition of the animal determined. The owner and/or arrestee will have seventy two (72) hours from the time of contact to make arrangements for the disposition of the animal. After the seventy two (72) hour period, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, has expired, the animal becomes the property of the city and may be euthanized or otherwise disposed of at the city's sole discretion.
F. In addition to any other offense provided in this part, it shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with the conditions of a release, and persons found to be in violation may be cited each day until such conditions are satisfied. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000; amd. Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003; Ord. 1837, 12-13-2022)