A. Any dog or cat found running at large shall be impounded by the City of Hardin or any law enforcement agency authorized to enforce laws within the City of Hardin in an animal shelter and confined in a humane manner. Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the City of Hardin or any law enforcement agency shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners within a period of five (5) days shall become the property of the City of Hardin, the animal shelter, or euthanized as determined by the City of Hardin.
B. When a dog or cat is found running at large and its ownership is verified by the animal control authority or any law enforcement agency authorized to enforce laws within the City of Hardin, the authority may exercise the option of serving the owner with a notice of violation in lieu of impounding the animal.
C. In the event that the City of Hardin finds dogs or cats to be suffering, it shall have the right forthwith to remove or cause to have removed any such animals to a safe place for care at the owner's expense or to euthanize them when necessary to prevent further suffering.
D. Return to the owner may be withheld until the owner shall have made full payment for all expenses incurred.
E. Disposal of an animal by any method specified herein does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any accrued charges. (Ord. 2011-10, 7-6-2011)