A. Owning, Harboring, Or Possessing: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, harbor or have in his/her possession any domesticated animal or feral cat which acts in a manner consistent with the definition of a "nuisance animal" as defined in section 5-1-3 of this chapter. Such domesticated animals and feral cats shall be deemed a nuisance and shall be prohibited and may be subject to impound as follows.
B. Impoundment Procedures: The mayor or his designee is authorized and empowered to secure and maintain a suitable pound for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
1. Impoundment Authorized:
a. It shall be the duty of every animal control officer to apprehend any nuisance animal found running at large or unlicensed, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, and to impound such nuisance animals in the city pound or other suitable place; provided, that if any fierce, dangerous or vicious animal found running at large cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such may be slain by any peace officer.
b. The animal control officer so impounding any nuisance animal shall record a description of the animal, and whether licensed, in a book kept for that purpose. If the animal is licensed and is wearing a license tag when apprehended, the animal control officer shall also record the name and address of the owner and the number of the tag.
2. Holding Period; Disposition:
a. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep all animals so impounded for a period of three (3) days after the posting and mailing of such notice. If the animal has not been redeemed by the owner, it may be destroyed, or sold for a sum of money sufficient to discharge the costs and charges incurred by the city for impounding and keeping the animal, together with the license fee for the current year if unpaid. No animal, which appears to be suffering from rabies, or any animal of fierce, dangerous or vicious propensities shall be released from the pound, but shall be destroyed.
b. The buyer of any animal under the provisions of this section shall become the owner of the animal, free from any claim or title of the original owner or harborer.
3. Notice To Owner; Fees: Not later than one day after the impounding of any animal, the animal control officer, or his designee, shall cause a written notice of such impounding to be posted in a conspicuous place in the office of the city clerk. Such notice shall be kept posted for a period of three (3) days. If the animal is wearing a license tag when apprehended, the animal control officer shall cause a copy of the notice to be mailed to the address shown on the application for license. The owner of any animal so impounded may reclaim such animal upon the payment of license fee, if unpaid, and all of the costs and charges incurred by the city for impounding and keeping costs and charges. If an owner of an animal is notified that the city is in possession of their animal and the owner fails to claim the animal within three (3) days, keeping charges and a disposal fee will be charged. Pound fees, fees for an animal impounded, disposal charges and fees for notification of the owner of an animal impounded will be set by resolution and reviewed on a regular basis. (Ord. 563, 4-21-2014)