(a) Any dog or cat found running at large can, at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer or any police officer, be impounded in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital or county dog pound. Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the Animal Control Officer or police officer shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. All unregistered dogs and cats not claimed by their owners within a period of three full days shall become the property of the City and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or humanely destroyed. Registered dogs or cats not redeemed within fourteen days of the date of owner notice also become the property of the City and can be adopted out or humanely destroyed at the owner's expense. No animal being the property of the City is eligible for adoption unless such animal is adequately immunized for infectious diseases.
(b) When a dog or cat is found running at large and its ownership is verified by the City Health Department or County Auditor, the Animal Control Officer or a police officer may exercise the option of serving the owner with a summons to Municipal Court in lieu of impounding the animals. (Ord. 1986-01. Passed 1-14-86.)
(c) An owner reclaiming an impounded dog or cat shall pay to the City Health Department a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the seizing of the dog or cat, plus four dollars ($4.00) per night the animal is impounded and medical bills accrued to the Department from the capture of the animal. (Ord. 2023-38. Passed 7-24-23.)