(A) Redemption.
(1) If the person owning, keeping or harboring an animal which has been impounded notifies the Animal Control Agency within four days of his claim to such animal, the animal control officer may permit such person to redeem the animal. In the event such animal is a dog or cat, such owner/keeper must pay the LaPorte County Animal Shelter any license fee due for the current year, if any, as well as show proof of current rabies vaccination or presentation by the animal owner of a receipt showing prepayment of a veterinarian's charges for such vaccination. A dog or cat not previously vaccinated must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours after such release. Failure of the animal owner to obtain such vaccination after such release shall constitute a breach of the release agreement and entitle the Animal Control Agency to regain possession of the animal or issue appropriate citations.
(2) A licensed dog may not be redeemed by anyone other than the owner until the expiration of 14 days.
(3) An owner/keeper redeeming an impounded dog or cat shall pay to the county or its agent a redemption fee of $25 plus $10 for each additional day before such animal is released to such owner/keeper by the County Animal Control Agency. Such redemption fees shall be doubled per impoundment for each subsequent time within a three month period that the same or any other animal belonging to the same owner/keeper may be impounded. The County Animal Control Agency shall collect such redemption fees for the county and shall account to the county and pay over all such fees to the County Auditor at the end of each month. If the owner/keeper has unpaid fines and/or costs from a previous redemption of an impounded animal, or an unpaid civil judgment which has been rendered against the owner/keeper from a previous violation of this chapter, all unpaid fines, fees and/or judgments shall be paid in full prior to redemption of the impounded animal. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter Director or the LaPorte County Animal Control Advisory Board.
(4) An owner/keeper redeeming an impounded larger animal, aside from dogs and cats, including but not limited to, horses, miniature ponies, goats and sheep shall pay to the county or its agent a redemption fee of $25 plus $15 for each additional day before such animal is released to such owner/keeper by the County Animal Control Agency. Such redemption fees shall be doubled per impoundment for each subsequent time within a three month period that the same or any other animal belonging to the same owner/keeper may be impounded. The County Animal Control Agency shall collect such redemption fees for the county and shall account to the county and pay over all such fees to the County Auditor at the end of each month. If the owner/keeper has unpaid fines and/or costs from a previous redemption of an impounded animal, or an unpaid civil judgment which has been rendered against the owner/keeper from a previous violation of this chapter, all unpaid fines, fees and/or judgments shall be paid in full prior to redemption of the impounded animal. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter Director or the LaPorte County Animal Control Advisory Board.
(5) Release of the impounded animal to its owner may be denied by the LaPorte County Animal Shelter Director or the LaPorte County Animal Control Advisory Board, if it is determined the animal is vicious or dangerous, diseased, a danger to public health and safety of the citizens of LaPorte County or for any other good and sufficient reason at the complete discretion of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter Director or the LaPorte County Animal Control Advisory Board.
(6) In the event an animal is denied return to its owner by the LaPorte County Animal Shelter Director, or any other official having authority to impound animals under this chapter, the owner and animal shall be subject to the following bond procedure:
(a) The owner shall be given written notice of the decision to retain the animal and provided with a bond amount and initial hearing date. The hearing date shall be within 30 days of receipt of notice.
(b) Not later than ten days after written notice of the animals retention, the owner must post bond with the LaPorte County Clerk's Office.
(c) The bond amount shall be sufficient to provide for the animal's care and keeping for at least 30 days, beginning on the date of first impoundment. The bond amount shall be calculated utilizing the daily redemption fees defined in division (A)(3) and (A)(4) of this section.
(d) If a bond expires, or if the owner fails to post an initial bond, ownership of the animal shall be assigned to the LaPorte County Animal Shelter, and the animal may be disposed of in accord with animal shelter policies after determination and order of the court at the scheduled hearing date.
(e) Any animal subject to such bond may be euthanized if it has been determined by a licensed veterinarian to be suffering extreme pain, or if it is jointly determined by the impounding official, attending veterinarian, and/or the director of the facility at which the animal is impounded, that said animal cannot be reliably handled or cared for without significant risk to the safety and welfare of the custodians during the impoundment.
(f) Once disposition of the animal is determined and an order of the court has been issued, any bond posted shall be released to the LaPorte County Animal Shelter to cover the costs for impoundment and care of said animal for the number of days the animal was in custody of the LaPorte County Animal Shelter. Any unused portions of the bond shall be returned to the individual who posted the bond after payment of all expenses, redemption fees and/or fines owned to the LaPorte County Animal Shelter have been satisfied.
(B) Adoption.
(1) Unlicensed animals/unclaimed animals may be redeemed by anyone upon paying to the Animal Control Agency the adoption fees set forth:
Animal | Adoption Fee | Spay or Neuter Deposit | Total Fee |
Dog | $70 | $30 | $100 |
Cat | $45 | $30 | $75 |
Any animal adopted from the local animal control agency or local humane society must be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days from the date of adoption if the animal is over six months of age or older. If the animal is under six months of age upon adoption, it shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian upon reaching the age of six months. An exception is made only if the licensed veterinarian certifies that said animal is physically unable to undergo such operation within the time limitations. The individual adopting the animal must sign a written agreement with the adopting facility guaranteeing that such animal will be spayed or neutered within the time period specified in this section. No dog or cat may be redeemed for sale or used by an individual laboratory engaging in testing, research or experimentation involving animals.
(2) An adoption fee for smaller animals, aside from dogs and cats, including but not limited to, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds shall be $20.
(3) An adoption fee for larger animals, aside from dogs and cats, including but not limited to, horses, miniature ponies, goats and sheep shall be $100.
(4) Any animal which appears to be suffering from rabies or infected with any other contagious or infectious disease shall not be released but shall be humanely euthanized.
(Ord. 2019-8, passed 3-20-19)