The owner (or parent/guardian of any minor owner) of any animal found to be at large within the city may be issued a notice of violation and assessed the fee per occurrence as set by annual resolution of the city council, to be paid at the animal services center. If the fee remains unpaid for a period of ten (10) days, a five dollar ($5.00) late penalty shall be added. The notice of violation shall be independent of any criminal misdemeanor or infraction proceedings which might be instituted.
A. Impoundment By Property Owner: Any person finding an animal at large upon his property may impound the animal and may take it immediately to the Pocatello animal services center or shall immediately notify personnel at the animal services center that he is holding the animal in his own possession and provide a description of the animal and the name of the animal's owner, if known. The animal services department shall dispatch an animal services officer to impound the animal at the first reasonable opportunity to do so. If the name of the owner/custodian is known or can be easily obtained, the officer may return the animal to the residential address of the owner. If there is no one present, the officer may impound the animal and shall leave written notice at the residence of the person or place to contact to reclaim the animal. The animal services officer shall then take the animal to the animal services center for confinement.
B. Impoundment By Officers: In addition to any other remedies provided in this chapter, animal services officers and police officers are authorized to impound and confine at the animal services center any of the following animals:
1. Any dog without a valid license tag.
2. Any animal at large.
3. Any animal that is in violation of any quarantine or confinement order.
4. Any unattended animal that is ill, injured, or otherwise in need of care. Upon determination by any animal services center staff, police officer, or veterinarian that the injury or illness is untreatable, the animal may be euthanized by the officer or veterinarian without regard to the waiting period set out below. Costs of medical care or euthanasia shall be borne by the owner/custodian.
5. Any animal that is reasonably believed to have been abused or neglected.
6. Any animal that is reasonably suspected of having rabies.
7. Any animal that is reasonably believed to be dangerous or a threat to public health and safety.
8. Any animal that a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered impounded or destroyed.
9. Any animal that is considered unattended or abandoned, e.g., due to the owner's death, arrest or eviction from his or her residence, and there is no sign of care for the animal. (Ord. 2975, 2016: Ord. 2697 § 10, 2002: Ord. 2667 § 2, 2001)