(A) Running at large. Any unlicensed animal running at large is hereby declared a public nuisance. Any Animal Control Officer or police officer may impound any dog or other animal found unlicensed or any animal found running at large and shall give notice of the impounding to the owner of the dog or other animal, if known. In case the owner is unknown, the officer shall post notice at the City office that if the dog or other animal is not claimed within the time specified in division (C) below, it will be sold or otherwise disposed of. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful to kill, destroy or otherwise cause injury to any animal, including dogs and cats running at large.
(B) Biting animals. Any animal that has not been inoculated by a live modified rabies vaccine and which has bitten any person, wherein the skin has been punctured or the services of a doctor are required, shall be confined in the City pound for a period of not less than ten days, at the expense of the owner. The animal may be released at the end of the time if healthy and free from symptoms of rabies and by the payment of all costs by the owner. However, if the owner of the animal shall elect immediately upon receipt of notice of need for the confinement by the officer to voluntarily and immediately confine the animal for the required period of time in a veterinary hospital of the owner’s choosing, not outside of the county in which the City is located, and provide immediate proof of confinement in the manner as may be required, the owner may do so. If, however, the animal has been inoculated with a live modified rabies vaccine and the owner has proof of the vaccination by a certificate from a licensed veterinarian, the owner may confine the dog or other animal to the owner’s property.
(C) Reclaiming. All animals conveyed to the pound shall be kept, with humane treatment and sufficient food and water for their comfort, at least five regular business days, unless the animal is a dangerous animal, as defined under § 91.11 of this chapter, in which case it shall be kept for seven regular business days or the times specified in § 91.11 of this chapter, and except if the animal is a cruelly-treated animal in which case it shall be kept for ten regular business days, unless sooner reclaimed by their owners or keepers as provided by this section. In case the owner or keeper shall desire to reclaim the animal from the pound, the following shall be required, unless otherwise provided for in this code or established from time to time by resolution of the City Council:
(1) Payment of the release fee and receipt of a release permit as established by § 34.01 of this code of ordinances;
(2) Payment of maintenance costs, as provided by the pound, per day or any part of day while animal is in the pound; and
(3) If a dog is unlicensed, payment of a regular license fee as established by § 34.01 of this code of ordinances and valid certificate of vaccination for rabies and distemper shots is required.
(D) Unclaimed animals. At the expiration of the times established in division (C) above, if the animal has not been reclaimed in accordance with the provisions of this section, the officer appointed to enforce this section may dispose of the unclaimed animal in a manner permitted by law. Any money collected under this section shall be payable to the City Clerk-Treasurer.
(Prior Code, § 901.05) Penalty, see § 91.99