The animal control authority of this city are hereby authorized and empowered to kill any animal found in violation of this subchapter whenever the animal cannot be safely taken up and impounded. No impounding or killing of any animal shall exempt the owner or keeper of the animal from the penalties provided in this subchapter. If, in the reasonable belief of any person or animal control authority, an animal presents an immediate danger to the health and safety of any person, or the animal is threatening imminent harm to any person, or the animal is in the process of attacking any person, the person or animal control authority may immediately kill the animal in a proper and humane manner. Otherwise, the person or animal control authority may seize the animal and deliver it to an impound facility for confinement. If the animal is destroyed or impounded, the owner of the animal destroyed shall be liable to the city for the costs of destroying, maintaining and/or disposing of the animal, plus the costs of any veterinarian examinations and those from any impound facility, as applicable. If the animal is found not to be a danger to the health and safety of the city in the judgement of the animal control authority, it may then be released to the owner.
(Prior Code, § 10-48) (Ord. 455, passed 2-28-2006; Am. Ord. 580, passed 2-27-2018)