(A) The animal control officer and any law enforcement officers are empowered to seize or capture and impound any animal in violation of this chapter and may issue a court summons or citation, as deemed necessary by the investigating officer.
(B) Impoundment of any animal does not relieve the owner thereof from any penalty that may be imposed for violation of this chapter, any other city ordinance or any state or federal law.
(C) The animal control officer shall not be required to pick up dead animals.
(D) The animal control officer shall not, in the process of seizing or impounding animals, place himself or herself in a situation that may jeopardize his or her health and safety.
(E) Upon impounding an animal, the animal control officer will make a reasonable attempt to determine ownership of the impounded animal and notify the owner(s) of the impoundment.
(F) Impounded animals shall be held in the animal control shelter for the minimum allowable time under state
law unless deemed necessary or appropriate to extend the minimum holding time or to waive the minimum holding time and destroy any animal that may be suffering from an affliction of a disease that may be contagious or a serious injury.
(G) Owner-relinquished animals may be disposed of immediately by way of adoption or euthanasia or by any other means authorized by the laws of the state.
(H) Owners may redeem their animal or animals upon notification by the animal control officer or as soon as the owner discovers that the animal has been impounded provided that discovery is within the minimum allowable holding time. Animals held after the minimum allowable time may be disposed of by any humane means allowable under state law.
(`86 Code, § 4-14) (Am. Ord. 01-09-01, passed 9-18-01)