A. Conditions For Impoundment: In addition to any other remedies provided in this chapter, an animal control officer or a law enforcement officer may seize, impound and humanely confine to an animal shelter or hospital any of the following animals:
1. Any animal at large;
2. Any animal constituting a public nuisance or considered a danger to the public;
3. Any animal that is in violation of any quarantine or confinement order of the Panhandle health district, a city animal control officer or any standing quarantine or confinement order of any public officer;
4. Any unattended animal that is ill, injured or otherwise in need of care;
5. Any animal that is reasonably believed to have been abused or neglected;
6. Any animal that is reasonably suspected of having rabies;
7. Any animal that is charged with being potentially dangerous, or dangerous where the city council or animal control officer determines that there is a threat to public health and safety, including illegal, exotic and wild animals;
8. Any animal that a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered impounded or destroyed;
9. Any animal that is considered unattended or abandoned, as in situations where the owner is deceased, has been arrested or has been evicted from his regular place of residence;
10. Any animal that has been declared vicious and the owner or harborer fails to adhere to the established guidelines set forth in the vicious animal guidelines as set forth in this chapter;
11. Any dog without a valid license tag and that is not on the property of its owner;
12. Any dog kept at a kennel that is not licensed, or the license has been suspended or revoked.
B. Notice To Owner: Upon impoundment of an animal, the animal control officer may attempt to notify the owner by telephone or mail. If the owner is unknown or cannot be contacted, the animal control officer shall provide to the city, no later than the next business day after the animal is impounded, written notice to be posted by the city at city hall, describing the animal and the time and place of taking. Any telephonic or written notice to the owner may also include the location of the shelter or hospital where the animal is confined, hours during which the animal can be reclaimed, and the fees to be charged to the owner. The owner may also be advised that the failure to claim the animal within three (3) business days may result in the destruction or other disposition of the animal.
C. Impound Fees: An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay the impound fees charged by the shelter.
D. Unclaimed Animals: Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within three (3) business days shall be subject to placement for adoption in a suitable home or euthanized in a manner prescribed by the city. (Ord. 197, 1-8-2013)