1. The owner of an animal shall at all times restrain such animal to prevent it from being or running at large. An animal found at large by the Animal Control Officer shall be seized and impounded. If the Animal Control Officer is unable to apprehend the animal, or if the owner refuses to relinquish the same, the Animal Control Officer shall serve the owner a misdemeanor citation.
2. If a cat does not bear a current rabies vaccination tag and license tag, the owner of such cat shall at all times restrain such animal to prevent it from being or running at large. A cat not bearing current rabies vaccination tag and license tag found at large by the Animal Control Officer may, in the discretion of the Animal Control Officer, be seized and impounded. If the Animal Control Officer is unable to apprehend such cat or if the owner of the cat refuses to relinquish the same, the Animal Control Officer may serve the owner a misdemeanor citation.
3. It is lawful for any person who finds any animal at large to seize and hold the animal. Any person so seizing and holding an animal may confine it within a fenced yard, house, garage, or other structure owned by said person, or by physically restraining said animal on a harness, collar, or leash. The person seizing and holding the animal shall be responsible for the humane treatment of the animal while it is under that person’s custody, and shall notify the Animal Control Officer within 48 hours that the animal is in said person’s custody. The provisions of this chapter shall not infringe upon any right or duty created by Section 351.26 or Section 351.27 of the Code of Iowa.