A police officer or the Animal Control Officer shall impound every dog and the Animal Control Officer shall impound every cat found in violation of Section 505.02, or shall impound such animals otherwise in accordance with this section.
(a) If the impounded dog is not wearing a valid registration tag, the dog shall forthwith be turned over to an officer charged by law with the custody and disposal of such dogs. If the dog is wearing a valid registration tag or the identity of the owner or harborer is otherwise established, notice shall be given prior to or on the next working day to such owner or harborer that the dog has been impounded. Notice may be by telephone or by residence service to the last known address of such owner or harborer. The dog shall not be released except upon the payment of charges established by Council. Any dog not redeemed by the regular business day after notice, as herein provided, is given to the owner or harborer, or the next regular business day following the date it is seized or impounded if the owner or harborer cannot be found, may be sold or otherwise disposed of as provided in Ohio R.C. 955.16.
(b) If the impounded cat is wearing an identification tag or the identity of the owner or harborer is otherwise established, notice shall be given on the next regular business day to such owner or harborer that the cat has been impounded. Notice may be by telephone or by residence service to the last known address of such owner or harborer. The cat shall not be released except upon the payment of charges established by Council. Any cat not redeemed by the next regular business day after notice is given to the owner or harborer as provided herein, or the next regular business day following the date such cat is seized or impounded, if the owner or harborer cannot be found, may be sold or otherwise disposed of in a humane manner as shall be determined by the Animal Control Officer or Animal Shelter Coordinator.
(c) In the event an animal is removed from a residence by the City because its owner is incarcerated, evicted, deceased, not found or otherwise unable to care for the animal on a daily basis, the animal may be impounded by an officer charged by law with the custody and disposal of such animals for a period of at least 72 hours, in which period the owner may claim the animal. The animal shall not be released except upon the payment of charges established by Council. The City shall leave notice at the residence of the impounding of the animal and may make other reasonable attempts to provide such notice. If the owner or the owner’s designee fails to claim the animal within the 72-hour period, the animal will be considered abandoned and the City may sell or otherwise dispose of the animal in a humane manner as determined by an officer charged by law with the custody and disposal of such animal.
(d) A record of all dogs and cats impounded, the disposition of the same, the owner's name and address, if known, and a statement of any costs or receipts involving such dog or cat shall be kept. (Ord. 4-16. Passed 4-4-2016.)