A. The Animal Control Officer, a police officer, or such other officer or employee of the City as may be authorized by the City Manager may take into custody and impound any animal running at large or in violation of any provision of the ordinances of the City and may enter upon the premises of the owner or other private premises to take such animal into custody.
B. Animals taken into custody as provided in this chapter shall be destroyed by an acceptable humane method by the officer or employee of the City in charge of such animal, or by the Animal Control Officer, after seventy-two (72) hours have elapsed after taking the animal into custody, provided the animal is not redeemed or claimed as provided in this article. A description of the animal, the date impounded, and the place of impoundment shall be kept by the Animal Control Officer or other officer in charge. If the owner can be identified by tag or otherwise, the Animal Control Officer shall send notice to the owner orally by telephone or in writing at the address on the City's registration records that unless claimed by the owner, the animal will be disposed of as provided in Section 10-285.
C. All dogs and cats impounded pursuant to Sec 10-282 shall be spayed or neutered prior to being released pursuant to Sec 10-285, including those reclaimed or otherwise returned to their owners. The Animal Control Officer may exempt the owner of a full-breed registered animal from the requirement to spay or neuter a dog or cat prior to release upon the owner's presentation satisfactory proof of pure breed status as verified by the American Kennel Club or similar entity and payment of a registration fee or if a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that the animal is incapable of reproduction or that spaying or neutering dog or cat would be injurious to the animal's health, provided, however, that if the health condition of the animal is of a temporary nature, then the animal shall be spayed or neutered immediately after the health condition has been corrected. For the purpose of this section, proof of pure breed status must be provided to the animal shelter within 48 hours of impoundment.
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 22-08 on 9/6/2022