(A) When a dog or cat is seized for any reason whatsoever, the animal shall be delivered to an animal facility as soon as feasible. No animal may be redeemed without authorization from the city's Animal Control Officer. However animals may be placed on a hold for as long as needed to contact and cite the owner or until a disposition hearing is completed by the court and a decision is rendered regarding the disposition of the animal.
(B) In the event an animal is taken into custody under the circumstances of the owners arrest unrelated to an animal crime, the animal shall be held for five days to allow for the owner to make arrangements to have the animal picked up. If after five days the animal has not been picked up, the entity in possession of the animal shall presume that the animal has been abandoned and the right of ownership transferred to the city and/or the entity in possession. The Animal Control Officer or designee will attempt to provide written notice of this section to the arrestee under these circumstances.
(C) For animals removed under this section, written notice to the owner of the animal removed, if known, shall be provided to the owner or left in a visible location if the owner is not present. The animal's owner shall be responsible for any costs of transportation, boarding, and care of the animal. Any animal owner who wishes to contest that the need existed to remove the animal or animals by City Animal Control Officers may do so by submitting a written petition to the Public Works Director within five days after the animal is removed. After review of the petition and of any reports from the Animal Control Officers involved, the Public Works Director shall issue a written determination either supporting or overruling the decision of the Animal Control Officers to remove the animal or animals.
(Ord. 2000-63, passed 6-13-00; Am. Ord. 2009-19, passed 1-27-09)