Unless otherwise specified by this chapter, animals, including domestic and livestock, that have been abandoned by their owner shall become the property of Henderson County. For the purpose of this chapter, an ABANDONED ANIMAL shall be defined as an animal that is on public property or is reported on private property by the property owner whose owner is unknown and cannot be determined by a reasonable search by law enforcement officers.
(A) Adoption and euthanasia. Animals that have been abandoned shall be held by the Henderson County Animal Services Department for 72 hours unless otherwise specified by this chapter. After 72 hours, Henderson County Animal Services may adopt out or humanely destroy any abandoned animal.
(B) Redemption. Any person claiming to be the owner of an animal must pay the reclaim fee, boarding fee, any veterinary costs and any other costs incurred by the town and/or Henderson County for the animal prior to the animal being released. REDEMPTION is defined as reclaim for lost, abandoned animals, or animals that have violated this chapter and shall not include animals held under quarantine. In the case of cats and dogs, no animal shall be released without being microchipped. In the case of livestock, Henderson County Animal Services may require some proof from the person of ownership of this animal prior to its release.
(C) Owner search. Law enforcement officers shall conduct a reasonable search for the owner of the abandoned animal which may include but is not limited to a microchip scan, an investigation of the neighborhood, information supplied on the Henderson County Animal Services website, or notices on local media outlets.
(D) Willful abandonment. Any person found to be willfully releasing animals into the community, including but not limited to leaving animals by the side of the road, releasing animals into parks or leaving animals in parking lots shall be guilty of a misdemeanor as defined elsewhere in this chapter and may incur civil and criminal penalties. People may lawfully relinquish animals to the Henderson County Animal Services Center without penalty.
(Ord. O-17-16, passed 11-13-2017)