A. Definitions:
DOG: Includes all members of the canine family.
OWNER: Any person having a right of property in a dog, or who keeps or harbors a dog, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him, whether or not such dog is licensed.
RUNNING AT LARGE: Any dog which is not confined upon the premises of the owner. (1977 Code § 2-19)
B. Dogs At Large Prohibited; Penalty: Owners of any dog which is allowed to run at large in any area of the County shall be deemed guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) for such offense. (1977 Code § 2-18)
C. Poundmaster: The County Board from time to time may appoint a poundmaster whose compensation shall be fixed at the time of appointment, and the County Board further may procure or establish a pound in some convenient place in the County. The duly designated poundmaster shall have control and charge of the County pound. (1977 Code § 2-15)
D. Impoundment Of At Large Dogs; Authority To Kill: Any dog found running at large in any unincorporated area of the County shall be deemed and considered a public nuisance, and it shall be the duty of the Sheriff's Department or such other person as may be appointed as poundmaster to impound such dog. If any such dog cannot be safely taken up and impounded and acts in any manner that is defined as a dangerous dog, any police officer may then kill the dog as the abatement of a public nuisance. (1977 Code § 2-14; amd. 2009 Code)
E. Notice Of Impoundment: When dogs are apprehended and impounded by the poundkeeper, the owner of said dog without a valid rabies tag, if known, shall be given notice not less than three (3) days prior to euthanasia or adoption. The poundkeeper shall give notice to the owner of said dog with a valid rabies tag, if known, not less than ten (10) days prior to euthanasia or adoption. An affidavit or testimony of the poundkeeper, or his authorized agent, who mailed such notice shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of such notice by the owner of such dog. (1977 Code § 2-16; amd. 2009 Code)
F. Redemption Of Impounded Dogs: In case the owner of any impounded dog desires to make redemption thereof, he may do so on the following conditions: (Ord., 4-12-2004)
1. He must present proof of current rabies inoculation; or
2. He must pay for the inoculation of the dog; and (Ord., 4-12-2004; amd. Ord. 2011-6, 8-9-2011, eff. 9-1-2011)
3. He must pay the pound for the board of the dog for the period it was impounded; and
4. He must pay a pick up fee of seventy dollars ($70.00) for the first instance his dog is impounded and a pick up fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each subsequent instance the dog is impounded at the Dubuque Humane Society; or
5. He must pay a pick up fee of twenty five dollars ($25.00) for a dog that is impounded at the Elizabeth holding kennel overnight. (Ord., 4-12-2004)