A. Whenever it becomes necessary to safeguard the public from the dangers of hydrophobia, the mayor, if he deems it necessary, shall issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog or cat to confine it securely on his premises unless such dog or cat shall have a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent its biting any person.
B. Any unmuzzled dog or cat running at large during the time of the proclamation shall be seized and impounded, unless noticeably infected with rabies. All dogs or cats so noticeably infected with rabies and displaying vicious propensities shall be humanely destroyed by a veterinarian or county animal warden without notice to the owner.
C. Dogs or cats impounded during the first two (2) days of such proclamation shall, if claimed within five (5) days, be released to the owner, unless infected with rabies, upon payment of the impounding fees and related costs provided for in subsection 4-3-9B of this chapter. If unclaimed after that period, such dog, cat or animal may be summarily destroyed. (Ord. 98-48, 8-3-1998)