(A) Power of seizure and impoundment.
(1) Animal Control Officers and other law enforcement officers are empowered to seize and impound the following:
(a) Any animal determined to be vicious or a public nuisance under the provisions of this subchapter;
(b) Any animal which has been found to be a victim of cruel treatment as determined by an Animal Control Officer or Animal Services Manager;
(c) Any wild or exotic animal determined to be held in violation of the provisions of this subchapter; and/or
(d) Any dog, cat, or ferret appearing to not be in compliance with the rabies control provisions of this subchapter.
(e) Any animal running at large or which appears to be lost or strayed.
(f) Any dog that has been deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous and is suspected of violating conditions set forth in § 90.09(D).
(g) Any animal that is in need of life-saving medical assistance or if the conditions pose an imminent threat of death or severe injury to the animal.
(2) Impoundment of such animal shall not relieve the owner or the person in possession thereof from any penalty which may be imposed for violation of this subchapter.
(B) Dead animals. Animal Control Officers shall not be required to pick up dead animals.
(C) Dangerous conditions. Animal Control Officers shall not be required, in the process of seizing or impounding animals, to place themselves in a situation which may jeopardize their health or safety.
(D) Notification to owners or the person in possession. Upon impoundment, the Animal Control Officer shall make a reasonable, diligent attempt to determine the ownership of the impounded animal, if not already known, and to notify the owner or the person in possession of the impounded animal and the procedures for redemption according to the provisions of this subchapter.
(E) Impoundment time periods.
(1) Impounded animals shall be held for the following periods of time:
(a) Impounded stray animals shall be held for 72 hours before becoming available for adoption or euthanasia.
(b) In appropriate cases, the Animal Services Manager may, at his/her discretion, extend the three day holding period.
(c) In appropriate cases, for example, animals which are badly wounded or diseased with a highly contagious disease such as distemper or parvovirus, the Animal Services Manager may use his/her discretion to reduce the three day holding period and to euthanize the animal immediately or at such appropriate time as determined by the Animal Services Manager.
(2) After the holding period, animals may be disposed of by the following methods:
(a) By adoption;
(b) By sale;
(c) By humane euthanasia; or
(d) Public auction.
(Ord. passed 6-4-2018; Ord. 2022-25, passed 10-17-2022)