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(A) The animal control officer and staff shall be sworn to uphold, carry out and supervise the enforcement of this chapter within the county unless otherwise provided. The animal control officer and staff shall be vested with all the powers ordinary and necessary under the law to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(B) These duties and powers shall specifically include, but not be limited to:
(1) To educate the public concerning humane ethics, consequences of pet overpopulation and their responsibilities as pet owners;
(2) Make a monthly report to the County Commissioners regarding the animal control program setting forth the number of calls received concerning: Dogs and cats running at large; the number impounded; the number claimed; the number destroyed; and the number found to rabid in the county;
(3) An animal control officer shall have authority to:
(a) Impound any animal found running at large not under reasonable control;
(b) Impound any dog that has bitten a person or another animal;
(c) Impound any dangerous animal;
(d) Humanely destroy any dog or cat when such action is needed to protect persons or property or to prevent suffering by the animal. The animal control officer can humanely destroy any dog or cat which has been held for a minimum of five days and the owner cannot be identified. However, all attempts will be made first to find an adoptive home;
(e) Impound any dog or cat showing symptoms of rabies or which has bitten or been bitten by another animal showing symptoms of rabies;
(f) Impound any dog or cat that does not display a current rabies vaccination tab; and/or
(g) Impound any dog or cat found showing signs of violation of § 90.35(A) through (F) of this code relating to humane care and treatment.
(4) Have the power to issue official warning or a notice of ordinance violation of this chapter;
(5) Have the power to enter private real property to rescue an animal to enforce this chapter; and
(6) In performing any of these duties, the animal control officer and staff shall, however, be specifically prohibited from: Entering a dwelling unit or enclosed structure without the dwelling unit owner’s permission or being accompanied by a uniformed law enforcement with a warrant authorizing the entry except when apprehending and impounding an animal as described in divisions (B)(3) and (B)(5) above; carrying firearms other than a tranquilizer gun; or making arrests of human beings.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
(A) Stray and nuisance animals may be taken by the animal control officer and impounded in the county’s animal shelter and there confined in a humane manner. In lieu of impoundment, the animal control officer may issue to the known owner of such dog a notice of ordinance violation.
(B) If, by means of a license tag or other means, the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the animal control officer shall, upon impoundment, notify the owner by telephone or certified mail.
(C) An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay a fee of $20 for dogs or $10 for cats and $5 for each day animal has been impounded. Subsequent impounds occurring within 12 months are charged double.
(D) Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within five working days shall become the property of the shelter and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or humanely euthanized.
(E) Any person adopting an animal from the shelter shall pay a fee of $15 for a dog or $5 for a cat and the costs of sterilization, if required. A receipt will be written for all fees.
(F) No animals shall be sold by the animal control officer or by any other personnel operating the shelter to anyone for research, nor to anyone who resells said animals for research.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
Statutory reference:
Animals; capture and destruction, see I.C. 36-8-2-6
(A) Any animal adopted from the animal shelter must be spayed or neutered by a veterinarian, with the cost paid by the adopter. If the animal is an adult, such operation shall be performed within one month of adoption. If the animal is young, it shall be spayed or neutered as follows:
(1) Female dog: Six months unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian;
(2) Female cat: Six months unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian;
(3) Male dog: Six months unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian; and
(4) Male cat: Six months unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian.
(B) Any animal not so neutered or spayed may be reclaimed by the animal control officer without refund to the adopter.
(C) The animal control officer may issue to any person in violation of this section a notice of ordinance violation. The penalty established agency within 72 hours in full satisfaction of the assessed penalty. In the event that such payment is not made within the period prescribed, proceedings shall be filed in the court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005) Penalty, see § 90.99
(A) The civil and criminal provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by those persons or agencies designated by county authority.
(B) It shall be a violation of this chapter to interfere with the animal control officer in the performance of his or her duties.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005) Penalty, see § 90.99
All fees or moneys collected shall be paid to the designated personnel of the animal shelter, and a receipt (must be a State Board of Accounts approved receipt book) shall be issued for all money collected and all donations accepted. Money so paid shall be transmitted to the County Auditor at the end of each month, along with a copy of the receipts of all adoptions, reclaims, donations, gifts and the like. All money and the report of collections must be turned into the County Auditor at the end of each month per State Board of Accounts.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
(A) The physical facility known as the county’s animal shelter shall be under the administrative control of the County Commissioners. The animal control officer and the County Commissioners shall retain all powers and duties conferred by this chapter for the detailed supervision of matters relating to animal control.
(B) It is the objective of the county’s animal control to provide for the safety and health of the citizens of the county by removing the unwanted dog or cat populations from the public properties and neighborhoods, to control the problem of dogs running at large and to prevent the spread of rabies. There is no intent to remove or separate pets from owners. Every attempt to locate owners with their pets is made when animals with tags are impounded. In addition to its statutory duties, the county’s animal control will provide limited services for the citizens of the county including animal adoption and assistance to individuals who have lost or found animals.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
Any person choosing to adopt an animal from the county’s animal shelter shall complete the application form approved and recommended by the county’s animal shelter. Adoption of a shelter animal may be denied based on the information contained on this application.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
(A) Persons who surrender an animal to the county’s animal shelter or to designated animal shelter personnel shall incur the following fees:
(1) Dog: $20 each;
(2) Cat: $10 each; and
(3) Litter of kittens or puppies: $50.
(B) It is at the discretion of the county’s animal control officer if the shelter has adequate space to receive surrendered animals.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
(A) If a person voluntarily delivers a cat or dog to the county’s animal shelter for the purpose of quarantining the animal, he or she shall be charged $10 per day for a maximum of ten days.
(B) Persons who fail to recover their animal following the quarantine period shall be deemed to have voluntarily abandoned their animal to the custody of the county’s animal shelter and shall be liable for the aforementioned quarantine fees.
(Ord. 2005-5-2, passed 5-2-2005)
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