A. Impoundment: Any animal may be impounded at any time if found in violation of any of the following:
1. Running at large.
2. In violation of a quarantine order.
3. Suspected of being abused, neglected or abandoned.
4. Suspected of having or been exposed to rabies.
5. If a vicious animal kept in violation of section 6-6-8 of this chapter.
B. Redemption:
1. The owner or responsible party shall be entitled to regain possession of the animal(s) upon payment of the appropriate impoundment fee, provided however, that the owner of any dog or cat must first comply with the license requirements of this chapter before the animal will be released if said animal is unlicensed. ACOs reserve the right to ask for satisfactory proof of ownership before releasing the animal.
2. Regardless of whether the animal is returned to its owner or impounded, ACOs may issue a citation to the owner for any violation(s).
3. Any animal not claimed by its owner within five (5) business days will become the property of the City. Where ownership can be determined, in lieu of impoundment, ACOs may return the animal to the owner.
C. Adoption: Any animal not claimed after five (5) business days may be placed up for adoption or humanely euthanized at the discretion of the ACO. Any animal placed for adoption, but which is not adopted within a reasonable time may be humanely euthanized at the discretion of the ACO. Any animal adopted from the animal shelter must be spayed or neutered at the owner or responsible party's expense within sixty (60) days unless extended or waived by ACOs based upon veterinarian availability and/or age of the animal.
D. Owner Turn Ins: Only upon special hardship circumstances and at the discretion of the Chief of Police after conferring with the animal control superintendent, or his or her designee that there is room available at the shelter, will an owner be allowed to surrender their animal(s) to the custody of the animal shelter for possible adoption. All owners shall complete an information sheet and sign the form stating that they are relinquishing all legal rights of the animal(s) to the City animal shelter. These animals are subject to the same guidelines as impounded animals. The City is not required to accept these animals.
E. Fees:
1. An impounded animal may be adopted for thirty dollars ($30.00) or two (2) animals for fifty dollars ($50.00). Senior citizens (55 and over) may adopt animals at half the regular adoption rate.
2. Impounded animals may be reclaimed upon payment of corresponding impound fees:
a. First violation within a twelve (12) month period: Twenty five dollars ($25.00).
b. Second violation within a twelve (12) month period: Fifty dollars ($50.00).
c. Third violation within a twelve (12) month period: Seventy five dollars ($75.00).
d. Fourth and/or subsequent violation(s) within a twelve (12) month period: One hundred dollars ($100.00).
3. In addition to such fees, a ten dollar ($10.00) daily fee shall be assessed beginning the second day of impoundment.
4. Isolation or quarantine care of any animal is twenty five dollars ($25.00) per day.
5. To facilitate adoption, in lieu of euthanasia, the animal control superintendent may reduce or waive the adoption fee. (Ord. 1665, 9-25-2017)