(A) Any law enforcement officer may take possession of any animal being treated cruelly and, after reasonable efforts to notify the owner, may provide shelter and care for them or upon permission of the owner destroy them.
(B) Officers caring for animals pursuant to this section have a lien for the reasonable value of the care and/or destruction. Any court upon proof that the owner has been notified of the lien and the amount due, at least five days prior, shall order the animal sold at public auction or destroyed.
(C) Any law enforcement officer may humanely destroy any animal found suffering past recovery for any useful purpose. Before destroying the animal, the officer shall obtain the judgment of a veterinarian, or of two reputable citizens called by him or her to view the animal in his or her presence, or shall obtain consent to the destruction from the owner of the animal. Its owner may be cited and/or charged for impound and sheltering fees.
(Ord. D-1-1994, passed - -1994)