(A) Impoundment; disposition; fees.
(1) Animal shelter or pound. The town may operate on its own, or contract with an outside agency to serve as the town’s animal shelter or pound, to provide for the impoundment of animals and implementation of rabies procedures pursuant to this chapter.
(2) Impoundment. Any animal found running at large shall be picked up and immediately impounded in the animal shelter and there confined in a humane manner.
(3) Fees.
(a) The fees for impounding and maintaining an animal, which shall be paid upon redemption, shall be as follows.
1. For any horse, mule, donkey, pony, cow or similar large animal, the impound fee is $50 and the daily maintenance is $25.
2. For any dog, cat, hog, sheep, goat or other animal of similar size, the impound fee is $25 and the daily maintenance is $5.
(b) In computing the fee, a fraction of a day during which an animal has been fed shall be deemed a full day.
(B) Breaking pound or interfering with officers.
(1) If any person breaks open, or in any manner directly or indirectly aids in, or counsels or advises the breaking open of any town pound or contract pound, or hinders, delays or obstructs any person duly authorized in taking up or taking to the town pound any animal liable to be impounded, he or she shall be guilty of an offense.
(2) No person shall interfere with, or hinder, or molest any agent of the town in the performance of any duty of such agent, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the town or its agents, except as provided by law.
(C) Redemption, adoption of animal. An owner of an impounded animal or his or her agent may redeem the animal prior to its sale or destruction as provided for herein by paying the required fees against the animal and meeting any other requirements which may be prescribed in this chapter. If the owner or his or her agent has not redeemed the animal within the first three days after the impoundment of the animal, the animal may be otherwise disposed of as provided for herein. A person desiring to adopt an animal from impoundment shall pay an adoption fee, costs of any necessary vaccinations, any additional fees as set by the shelter as provided in this section and shall sign an agreement with the town ensuring that the dog or cat will be spayed or neutered.
(Prior Code, § 5-6-13) (Ord. passed 2- -2011) Penalty, see § 93.99