(A) Any dog or cat found at large shall be impounded by the County Animal Control Authority and confined in a humane manner. Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the Animal Control Authority shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners within a period of five full days in which the shelter is open to the public shall become the property of the Animal Control authority.
(B) When a dog or cat is found running at large and its ownership is verified by the town, the authority may exercise the option of serving the owner with a notice of violation in lieu of impounding the animal.
(C) In the event that the town finds dogs or cats to be suffering, it shall have the right to notify the County Animal Control, forthwith, to remove or cause to have removed any such animals to a safe place for care at the owner’s expense to prevent further suffering. Return to the owner may be withheld until the owner has made full payment for all expenses so incurred to the town and the County Animal Control.
(D) Disposal of an animal by any method specified herein does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any accrued charges.
(Ord. 2018-9-1, passed 10-2-2018)