(A) Control, running at large. An owner or harborer, when walking a dog, cat, or other animal on property other than that of the owner or harborer, shall control such animal with a leash. Any dog, cat, or other animal found running at large contrary to provisions of this chapter may be apprehended and impounded. A dog or cat found running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter, a second or subsequent time must be spayed or neutered within 30 days after being reclaimed unless already spayed or neutered and the owner shall provide written verification of the spaying or neutering procedure to the Health Officer; failure to comply may result in impoundment of the animal. A dog that is actively engaged in a legal hunting activity, including training, is not considered to be running at large if the dog is on land that is open to hunting or on land on which the person has obtained permission to hunt or to train a dog. A dog that is in a dog-friendly area or dog park is not considered to be running at large if the dog is monitored or supervised by a person.
(B) Livestock running at large. Livestock running at large may be impounded at any site authorized by the Health Officer that is willing to accept such animal(s). The impounding facility and its owner(s) shall not be held liable for any injury or accrue any financial responsibility for such impounded animal(s). The person or persons requesting impoundment shall be held harmless of any liability for injury or for any financial responsibility for such animal(s).
(1) Notification. Notification of impoundment shall be given to the caretaker or owner of any livestock running at large. Such notification shall include a description of the animal(s), a description of the violation that is alleged to have occurred, any corrective actions that are required to prevent future violations, and shall also specify the time frame in which those corrective actions shall take place.
(2) Impoundment expenses. Any expense incurred in such impoundment shall become a lien on the impounded livestock and must be discharged before the livestock shall be released to the owner. In addition to paying all costs of the impoundment, the owner shall also provide evidence that the corrective actions, as specified in the Notice of Impoundment, have been taken prior to the release of the impounded livestock.
(3) Forfeiture of impounded animal(s). If the owner of any impounded livestock refuses or fails to provide evidence that the corrective actions, as specified in the Notice of Impoundment, have been taken, or if the impounded animal(s) are not claimed and incurred costs paid within ten days, such animal(s) shall become the property of the authorized impoundment site in lieu of impoundment, board and fee for service charges.
(Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 11-9-1976; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 4-10-1979; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 10-9-1984; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 12-20-1984; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 6-11-1990; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 1-10-1995; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 11-12-1996; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 3-15-2011; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 1-15-2013)