The Animal Control Officer, all police officers and all other authorized city employees, working under the direction and supervision of the city manager or city manager's designee shall be charged with the enforcement of this chapter and it shall be his (their) duty to take charge of any animal at large or running at large, or any animal which is kept in violation of this chapter and he (they) shall convey the same to the city pound or animal clinic designated by the city manager. There, such animal shall be fed, watered, and otherwise cared for during a period of not less than five (5) days unless redeemed earlier by its owner. Any impounded animal may be redeemed by its owner upon payment to the city for each animal so seized and impounded, an impoundment fee in an amount set by the city manager, and such fee shall be paid by the owner prior to the release of the animal or animals. The second impoundment of an animal owned by him, and each subsequent impoundment shall cause the impoundment fee to increase by ten dollars ($10.00) for each subsequent impoundment of an animal owned by such person. In addition to the above charges, the owner shall pay all daily charges for the care, feeding, maintenance and upkeep of said animal, which charges shall be set by the city manager and shall be paid by the owner prior to the release of the animal. If the animal is placed with a veterinarian, in addition the owner shall pay all reasonable charges of the veterinarian for boarding. If the animal so seized has not been vaccinated, the owner shall, before he is permitted to regain possession of such animal, have such animal vaccinated and present proof of vaccination to the Animal Control Officer.
The payment of the fees set forth herein, however, shall not relieve the owner from any other penalty for violation of this chapter.
The impounding officer shall, not later than the day following the impounding of any animal, serve written notice upon the owner thereof, if known, by mail or in person. If such owner is unknown, the Animal Control Officer shall post a written notice in the city hall describing the impounded animal.
If after a period of five (5) days from the date of service or posting of such notices the animal is not redeemed in the manner set forth herein, it shall be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of in the public interest.
Whenever any individual shall apply to the Animal Control Officer for permission to adopt or buy an impounded animal remaining unclaimed, the Animal Control Officer may sell to the individual such unclaimed animals or surrender such animals to the individual for adoption upon the payment of the fees set forth herein (Ord. #818, 02/04/93, Ord. #995, 03/07/02).