A. Created; Appointment: The animal services functions of the city shall be located within the police department. The police chief may designate an employee to serve as the animal services coordinator who shall supervise the animal services officers and other animal services staff.
B. Oath: The animal services coordinator and any person employed by the police department as an animal services officer, shall, before assuming the duties of his/her office, take and subscribe the oath of office. The animal services coordinator and any other employee of the department in whose hands any public funds may come in the regular discharge of their duties, shall be bonded under title 2, chapter 5 of this code.
C. Powers And Authority:
1. Animal Services Officers: The animal services coordinator and the animal services officers are hereby authorized to investigate violations of laws and ordinances concerning animals, issue citations in accordance with Utah law, and take custody of animals as appropriate in enforcing the provisions of this title and all other laws pertaining to animals.
2. Impoundment; Duty: The animal services coordinator, his/her assistants, animal services officers and the police officers of the city are hereby authorized and empowered to apprehend and take with them and impound any animal found in violation of this title.
3. Right Of Entry: In the enforcement of this title, any peace officer or the animal services coordinator, his/her assistants or any animal services officer are authorized to enter onto the open premises of any property within the city to take possession of any animal in violation of this title. It is not the intent of this subsection to authorize any entry onto property which is in violation of state or federal constitutional restrictions regarding search and seizure.
4. Entering Vehicles: Any peace officer, the animal services coordinator or the coordinator's assistants, or any animal services officer, who has probable cause to believe that subsection 13-3-1O of this title is being violated, shall have authority to enter a vehicle in which an animal is being confined illegally, by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other responsible person, in order to protect the health and safety of an animal.
D. Duties And Responsibilities:
1. Enforcement: It shall be the responsibility of the animal services coordinator, his/her assistants and any animal services officer, to enforce the provisions of this title and the provisions of all other laws and ordinances pertaining to animals and to perform such other duties as may be provided by law.
2. Aid Of Animals: In addition to the performance of his/her regular and ordinary duties, the animal services coordinator, his/her assistants and any animal services officer, shall have the authority to go to the aid of any or all animals at large, in distress or danger and render them such aid as lies within their power.
3. Reports; Monies Collected: The animal services coordinator shall keep an accurate account of all monies paid directly to the department for any services as provided in this title and he/she shall file on each business day a verified report of all sums collected and from whom collected. All monies collected by the animal services coordinator shall be deposited in a city account within three (3) business days following collection with a receipt provided to the city treasurer for same. Monthly reports shall be filed on the numbers and species of animals handled and their disposition during the previous month.
E. Mayoral Authority To Adopt Regulations: The mayor, or the chief of police, if so delegated, may adopt such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this title.
(Ord. 2013-44, 10-15-2013)