A. Duty Of Official To Impound; Certificate Of Registry: It shall be the duty of every police officer or other designated official to apprehend any dog found running at large, not wearing his tag, or which is in violation of this chapter and to impound such dog in the pound or other suitable place. The animal control officer, or some other designated official, upon receiving any dog, shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and mix of such dog and whether licensed. If licensed, he shall enter the name and address of the owner and number of the license. (1979 Code § 13-252)
B. Interference With Impounding Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, delay, interfere with, or obstruct the animal control officer or any of his assistants while engaging in capturing, securing, or taking to the dog pound any dog or dogs liable to be impounded, or to break open or in any manner directly or indirectly aid, counsel, or advise the breaking open of any dog pound or ambulance, wagon, or other vehicle used for the collecting or conveying of dogs to the dog pound. (1979 Code § 13-256)
C. Records Maintained By Animal Control Officer: The animal control officer shall keep a record of each animal impounded by him, the date of receipt of such animal, the date and manner of its disposal and if redeemed, reclaimed, or sold, the name of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed, or purchased, the address of such person, the amounts of all fees received or collected for or because of the impounding, reclaiming or purchasing thereof, together with the number of any tag and the date of any tag exhibited or issued upon the redemption or sale of such animal. (1979 Code § 13-253)
D. Redemption Of Impounded Dogs: Any dog impounded as a licensed or unlicensed dog may be redeemed and taken from the pound by the owner or any authorized person, upon having proof of the following: a certificate of registry as provided in subsection A of this section, showing that the license imposed by this chapter has been paid for and upon paying the person in charge of the pound an impound fee of twenty five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense and doubling for each repeat offense thereafter, with an additional fine of twenty dollars ($20.00) for each dog that is unlicensed and boarding fees of ten dollars ($10.00) per day Monday through Friday and the sum of twenty five dollars ($25.00) per day on weekends and holidays, for each and every day that such dog shall have been impounded. Dogs that are not redeemed within five (5) days may be euthanized. (Res. 2006-6, 7-11-2006)
E. Disposition Of Unclaimed Or Infected Dogs: All impounded dogs not redeemed within five (5) days of the date of impounding may be destroyed or sold to the person first making written request for purchase at such price as may be deemed agreeable. In the case of dogs severely injured or having contagious disease other than rabies and which in the animal control officer's judgment are suffering and recovery is doubtful, the animal control officer may destroy the dog without awaiting the five (5) day period. (1979 Code § 13-255)
F. Redemption Of Unlicensed Dogs: Any dog impounded as an unlicensed dog may be redeemed and taken from the pound by the owner or any authorized person, upon payment of a one hundred dollar ($100.00) deposit, along with impound fees specified in subsection D of this section. The owner shall then have ten (10) business days in which to provide proof of rabies vaccination and current licensing to the animal control officer, or, upon failure to provide said proof of rabies vaccination and licensing, the deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be deemed forfeited and the owner liable for the unlawful harboring of an unvaccinated and unlicensed dog. The city is then authorized to impound the dog and the animal control officer may destroy the dog without waiting the five (5) day period. Any owner who requests that the animal control officer euthanize any unwanted dog will be charged the sum of five dollars ($5.00) to cover the costs of services. The dog may not be left with the owner; doing so would be in violation of the veterinary practice act. The dog must be signed over to the city. The city then becomes owner of the animal making it legal. (Ord. 2005-1, 1-27-2005)