A. Impounding, Redemption, and Destruction of Animals:
1. An animal may be impounded by a special officer when such officer has probable cause to believe that the owner or person possessing such animal is in violation of this title or is determined to be a public nuisance as defined in this Chapter.
2. Any animal impounded pursuant to this section shall be released to its owner or person lawfully possessing it upon final disposition of all criminal charges or citation relating to the impoundment, unless otherwise ordered by a court of law.
3. All animals impounded by a special officer shall be delivered to a designated area animal shelter. The officers or deputies will make a reasonable effort to notify the person responsible for any impounded animal as soon as practical. In the event telephone contact cannot be made, notice must be given to a known owner by first class mail.
The person responsible for an impounded animal may reclaim such animal upon meeting all regulations and paying any fees required by the animal shelter.
4. Any dog, which has no readily available identification (either a tag or implanted microchip) indicating ownership and which is not reclaimed within fifteen (15) days after it is impounded, is deemed to be abandoned and may be destroyed or put up for adoption. The person responsible for the dog will be liable for the cost of destruction of the dog.
B. Emergency Impoundment:
1. A special officer may impound a dog or other animal when the person responsible for the animal is unable to care for it due to emergency circumstances. The officer impounding the animal must make a record of the circumstances of impounding including:
a. Name, address, and phone number of person responsible for the animal;
b. Current location of the person responsible;
c. Name, address, and telephone number of owner if other than the person responsible;
d. Arrangements that have been made for reclaiming the animal; and;
e. Circumstances that created the necessity of impoundment.
2. The officer impounding the animal must notify the person responsible for the animal of the following rules which will apply when an animal is impounded under emergency circumstances:
a. That a boarding fee will be charged for all animals not reclaimed on the first business day after impoundment.
b. That the person responsible for the animal will be responsible for veterinary fees for treatment of the animal;
c. That the animal may be considered abandoned if not reclaimed from animal control within fifteen (15) days after it is impounded;
d. That an abandoned animal (i.e., animal not reclaimed within 15 days) may be destroyed or put up for adoption;
e. That the person responsible may designate an agent to reclaim the animal; and
f. That the animal may be relinquished to animal control.
C. Relinquishment of Animal to Animal Control: A Lincoln County resident who is the owner of an animal may relinquish ownership of the animal by signing a statement that he/she is the legal owner of the animal and authorizes animal control to dispose of the animal. Disposal may occur through destruction or adoption. The owner of the animal must pay the cost of disposal at the time of relinquishment. Such cost will be the price charged Lincoln County for the resources and supplies used for destruction. (Ord. 2020-04, 12-21-2020)