(A) The designated provider shall provide suitable and adequate food and water for all animals impounded.
(B) (1) Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within three working days shall:
(a) Be turned over to the designated provider and converted to its property; or
(b) Become the property of the city and shall be placed for adoption or euthanized in a humane manner after that recommendation by a licensed veterinarian.
(2) (a) The Animal Control Director or Police Chief may refuse to allow adoption to any person who has pled guilty or been convicted of a violation of this chapter. Appeal or denial may be made in writing within three days to the City Council.
(b) Specific animals shall not be held at the center pending the Council’s decision but may be adopted by other persons or euthanized as provided in division (B)(1) above.
(c) The City Council shall hear the appeal at the next available regularly scheduled meeting and may either affirm or reverse the denial. If the denial is reversed, the person may adopt any animal which is available after the Council’s decision.
(d) Fees for adoption and euthanasia shall be set from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(C) If the name of the owner is readily available through license records, the designated provider staff, animal control officer or police officer shall attempt to notify the owner by telephone or mail, or by hand delivery of a notice, or by notice attached to the door of the residence of the animal’s impoundment, providing the deadline for reclaiming the animal, the conditions under which the animal may be redeemed, including a detailing of the costs of confinement and the consequences of failure to redeem by the deadline.
(D) The designated provider or Police Department shall keep a record of all animals impounded, which shall include a description of the animal, date of impoundment, date of notification of impoundment, method of notification, date of redemption and record of fees paid or date of other disposition. In the case of adoption, the record shall include the name, address and phone number of the person buying or adopting the animal. If the owner requests the dog after the three days has passed, the owner shall reapply for and must meet adoption criteria for the dog.
(E) Redemption shall be made by providing satisfactory proof of ownership and paying the required city fees and charges. Other fees, including, but not limited to, private impoundment fees, daily care fees and medical costs must be paid in full to the designated provider. City fees shall be set from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Copies of such resolutions shall be kept on file and made available in the office of the City Clerk.
(F) Any person who has surrendered two or more dogs for disposition by the animal shelter (County Animal Shelter) or has two or more dogs impounded for any reason shall not be eligible to hold a dog license in the city.
(Ord. 602, passed 4-2-2008; Ord. 651, passed 6-3-2015)