A. Dogs Impounded:
1. Any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be apprehended by any City employee and, subject to the provisions of section 5-2-11 of this chapter, shall be impounded or delivered to its owner; provided, however, that if any vicious dog so found at large cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such dog may be slain forthwith.
2. Any dog that has bitten a person or is suspected of having rabies shall be seized and impounded for a period of ten (10) days. An appropriate public health officer shall be notified, and the animal shall be disposed of only under his/her direction.
B. Records Kept: A complete registry shall be kept of every dog impounded, entering the breed, color and sex of such dog, whether licensed and the time and place of taking. If licensed, the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag and/or tattoo shall be entered.
C. Notification Of Owner, Reclamation Requirements; Fee:
1. Any dog impounded pursuant to this section shall be held in impoundment for a maximum period of seventy two (72) hours from the date of initial impoundment during which time reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner, keeper or possessor of such impounded dog, subject to the provisions of section 5-2-11 of this chapter. All impounded dogs shall be redeemed by the owner, keeper or possessor thereof within twenty four (24) hours of notification of impoundment. Any dog not redeemed within said twenty four (24) hour period or held for seventy two (72) hours shall become the property of the City.
2. The owner of any dog so impounded may reclaim such dog upon the procural of a license, if lacking, and the payment of all costs and charges incurred by the City for impounding and maintaining such dog and by signing an affidavit of ownership of said dog, to include breed, sex, color, height and weight, plus other information as shall be required by the Chief of Police.
3. For such occurrence of impounding a dog running at large, the owner thereof shall pay to the City a sum of ten dollars ($10.00) for the first occurrence as an impound fee, and the impound fee shall double for each subsequent impoundment.
D. Disposition Of Unclaimed Dogs: All dogs impounded shall be kept until the time period required for giving notice, as provided for in subsection C of this section, has expired. The owner or representative of the owner of any dog which may be taken up and impounded under the provisions of this chapter may recover possession of such dog upon payment of fees and costs provided for in subsection C of this section. If possession of any dog is not recovered as set forth herein, the dog may be disposed of by delivery to any person who will pay the license fee and costs herein provided, or the dog may be destroyed in a humane manner.
E. Releasing Impounded Animals: It is unlawful for any person, except those responsible for the enforcement of this chapter, to release any dog without the consent of the owner or to release his/her own or any other dog from the pound or from any place where a dog may be held for observation as set forth in this chapter.
F. Interference With Police: Any person who molests, interrupts, hinders or prevents the Chief of Police or any public officer in the discharge of his/her duty, prescribed in this chapter, or violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 615, 4-12-2018)