CHAPTER 6-8.
REMOVAL, IMPOUNDMENT, FORFEITURE AND DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS

Ordinance 2021.005 deleted sections 6-8-8 and 6-8-9, amended and restructured sections 6-8-3 through 6-8-7 as sections 6-8-3 through 6-8-9, and amended section 6-8-10

6-8-1 Impoundment of unvaccinated and unlicensed dogs; vaccination; costs

A.   Any town enforcement agent may apprehend and impound any unvaccinated or unlicensed dog.

B.   The town enforcement agent is hereby authorized to have a licensed veterinarian vaccinate and issue a vaccination certificate for an impounded unvaccinated dog.

C.   The owner of any dog impounded under this section may reclaim the dog at any time upon proof of ownership and payment of all costs and fees associated with the impoundment.

6-8-2 Impoundment of dogs at large; impoundment period; notice; costs

A.   Any town enforcement agent may impound or cause to be impounded any dog running at large contrary to the provisions of chapter 6-4.

B.   Each dog or cat that is impounded with a microchip or wearing a license or any other discernible form of owner identification shall be kept and maintained at a shelter approved by the town enforcement agent for a minimum of 120 hours, unless the animal is claimed or surrendered by its owner prior to the expiration of the impoundment period. The town enforcement agent shall promptly notify the animal’s owner, in person or by written notice, of the impoundment. The owner may reclaim the animal within 120 hours from the date of the actual notice or mailing of notice, upon proof of ownership, current rabies vaccination and license, and payment of all costs and fees associated with the impoundment.

C.   Except as otherwise set forth in this section, each dog or cat that is impounded without any discernable form of owner identification, shall be kept and maintained at a shelter approved by the town enforcement agent for a minimum of 72 hours, unless the animal is claimed or surrendered by its owner prior to the expiration of the impoundment period. The owner may reclaim the dog within the 72-hour impoundment period by securing a vaccination and a license for the dog, providing proof of ownership, and paying all costs and fees associated with the impoundment.

D.   Any impounded cat that is eligible for a community cat program and that will be returned to the vicinity where the cat was originally captured may be exempted from the mandatory holding period required by this section. For purposes of this paragraph, “eligible” means a cat that is free-roaming, lacks discernible identification, is of sound health, and possesses its claws.