(A) All dogs taken into custody by the city police, Code Enforcement Officer, Dog Warden or other empowered official as provided herein shall be impounded at the animal shelter, except as provided in division (B) below. Additionally, all owners of dogs taken into custody shall be issued a city citation for violation of this chapter by a police officer or Code Enforcement Officer. Should the Dog Warden take a dog into custody he/she shall immediately notify the City Police Department or Code Enforcement Officer of the city and request that the proper citation be issued.
(B) If the dog is found on or off the premises of its owner at large, the police officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Dog Warden or other empowered official may, in their discretion, not impound the dog, but in lieu thereof, issue a citation to the owner for permitting the dog to run at large.
(C) A record of all dogs impounded shall be made at the time of the impoundment. Said record shall contain the following information: breed, gender, color, size, weight and any other distinguishing characteristics. Additionally, if the dog is licensed, the record shall contain the name and address of the owner and the license tag number. Final disposition of said dog shall also be included. The original records shall be kept at City Hall with copies sent to the Police Department upon final disposition.
(D) All dogs impounded shall be kept for a period of five (5) days, excluding the date of impoundment. No dog impounded as provided herein shall be released to its owner, keeper, or custodian without written authority from the Code Enforcement Officer of the city. Authority may be given only after the citation and any and all expenses incurred by the city in keeping the dog have been paid in full. Any dog not reclaimed within the five (5) day time period shall be handled and/or disposed of by the regulations of the county or by state law.
(Ord. 3-11-1, passed 3-14-11; Am. Ord. 10-12-1, passed 10-8-12) Penalty, see § 90.99