(A) An animal taken to the County Animal Control shelter may be reclaimed by the owners, adopted by others, or destroyed in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the county for the administration of the animal control shelter.
(B) If the animal is held by the Town of Liberty and is not reclaimed by the owner within the holding period stated in § 96.28(B)(1) and (2) above, the animal becomes the property of the town and is eligible to be released for adoption or destroyed in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Town of Liberty.
(C) (1) Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every person who either adopts or reclaims an animal at the shelter will be given a proof of rabies vaccination notice at the time of reclaiming or adoption.
(2) This notice shall contain a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the animal to the veterinarian of the person's choice for rabies vaccination.
(3) The time limit for dogs 4 months and older will be 72 hours, with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies under 4 months of age, the time limit will vary according to their age.
(4) The proof of rabies vaccination notice will be completed by the veterinarian and returned to the animal shelter by the animal owner within 72 hours of the vaccination.
(5) Payment for rabies vaccination provided for in this section shall be the responsibility of the person reclaiming or adopting the animal.
(D) Any animal surrendered by its owner to the Administrator may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely destroyed when:
(1) The owner directs in writing that the animal be placed for adoption or humanely destroyed;
(2) The owner affirmatively represents in writing that they are the legal owner of the animal;
(3) The owner agrees that they will indemnify and hold the Town of Liberty and the Administrator harmless from any loss or damage it may sustain, including attorney's fees, by reason of the destruction or placement for adoption of the animal; and
(4) The owner transfers ownership of the animal to the town and releases the town and the Administrator from any and all future claims with respect to this animal.
(E) (1) If an animal is not redeemed within the holding period stated in § 96.28(B)(1) and (2) above, by its owner, it may be humanely destroyed.
(2) Euthanasia is to be performed by animal control personnel who have completed training by a licensed veterinarian. Euthanasia procedures must be approved by a licensed veterinarian.
(3) Any animal seized and impounded which is badly wounded, diseased (not a rabies suspect) or unweaned may be immediately destroyed.
(4) If the animal has identification, the Administrator or officer shall attempt to notify the owner before destroying the animal.
(5) If the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the Administrator or officer may destroy the animal at his or her discretion in a humane manner.
(F) (1) The town may assess a reasonable fee for the trapping and handling of animals held temporarily by the Town of Liberty.
(2) The fee will be collected prior to the animal being released.
(3) The amount of this fee shall be established and revised from time to time by resolution of the Council upon recommendation of the Manager.
(G) (1) If an animal cannot be seized by reasonable means (trapped, tranquilized or captured) and the Administrator deems it necessary to seize the animal at the cost of its life, then the Administrator or his or her designee may destroy the animal.
(2) All consideration must be given to protecting surrounding people and property when this action is necessary.
(1981 Code, § 10-22) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001; Am. Ord. passed 2021)