(A) Any animal found running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be impounded in the city pound or other suitable place. Notice shall be posted at the residence from which the animal was removed, indicating the violation, time, date, and where the animal can be reclaimed. The person in charge upon receiving any such animal shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color, and sex of the animal, and whether it is licensed. If licensed, he or she shall enter the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag. As soon as practical after the impounding of any animal, the owner shall be notified, or if the owner of the animal is unknown, notice shall be given by posting in the City Finance Officer’s office describing the animal and the place and time of taking. The owner of any animal so impounded may reclaim such animal upon payment of the license fee, if unpaid, and all costs and charges incurred by the city for the impounding, notice, and maintenance of said animal. The Council is empowered to set fees. It shall be the duty of the person in charge to keep all animals so impounded for a period of 72 hours. If at the expiration of three 72 hours from the date of notice to the owner or the posting of notice such animal shall not have been redeemed by the owner, then any other person may, upon compliance with the terms of this chapter, redeem such animal from the pound and become the lawful owner thereof. If no person redeems the animal, it may, at the discretion of the animal control officer, be destroyed or adopted.
(B) No person shall unlawfully release, or assist in releasing, any animal from the city impoundment facility. A violation of this section is punishable by a fine or by imprisonment, or both.
(Ord. 627, passed 9-12-2016) Penalty, see § 90.99
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see SDCL §§ 9-19-3, 9-29-12, 9-29-13