(A) Under the direction of the Director of Public Works, the Animal Control Officer shall have the full power of enforcement of this chapter or any part thereof.
(B) The Animal Control Officer shall have full authority to issue a citation or summons, sign formal complaints against violators and appear in court as an agent on behalf of the city for the purpose of enforcement of this chapter. The Public Works Department shall notify the Animal Control Officer of all complaints involving domestic animals running at large.
(C) Whenever any domestic animal running at large is apprehended it shall be taken to the kennel as is, from time to time, designated by the city and a record shall be made of its description and its license tags, if any. If it is licensed, a reasonable attempt will be made by the Animal Control Officer to locate the owner thereof and inform him or her of the animal’s apprehension.
(D) The Animal Control Officer shall remit to the city all moneys collected by it for dog licenses, impounding fees and boarding fees, and shall also submit a bill for the boarding of all unclaimed animals which are brought to the kennel pursuant to this chapter.
(E) Any animal so impounded shall not be held more than 96 hours. The care of any such domestic animal shall continue to be provided by the city during the entire 96-hour period. At the expiration of such period, the Animal Control Officer will consult and collaborate with the Animal Control Commission regarding the assumption of the care, custody and control of the animal. The Animal Control Officer will cooperate with the designated Commission at the end of any such 96-hour impoundment period and allow the Commission to assess and evaluate the animal. The Commission has no obligation to accept the transfer of the animal and shall notify the Animal Control Officer in writing if they will not accept the animal. The Animal Control Officer is then authorized to move forward and make appropriate decisions under the provisions of this chapter. If the Commission determines to accept the animal, all responsibilities for the care, custody and control of the animal will then be transferred to and be assumed by the Commission with no further obligation, involvement, or responsibility on the part of the city or the Animal Control Officer. All decision making thereafter regarding the animal rests with the Commission, including placement and disposition of the future care or custody of the animal.
(2000 Code, § 6.04.040) (Am. Ord. 2010-09- 0307O, passed 9-28-2010; Am. Ord. 2013-03-0434O, § 2 (part), passed 3-12-2013; Am. Ord. 2016-08-0615O, passed 8-9-2016; Am. Ord. 2018-02-0681O, passed 2-27-2018)