(a) The position of Animal Control Officer is hereby established. The Animal Control Officer shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Animal Control Officer may be a part-time employee only and may be employed also in any other department of the City.
(b) It is the duty of the Animal Control Officer to apprehend any pet, licensed or unlicensed, found running at large, contrary to the provisions of Section 618.01, and to take such pet into his or her custody.
(c) If a dog found running at large is unlicensed, the Animal Control Officer shall deliver such dog to the custody of the County Dog Warden.
(d) If the owner of a licensed dog found running at large resides within the City, the Animal Control Officer shall, without delay, deliver such dog into the custody of the owner or a responsible member of his or her family at the owner's residence. If the owner is a nonresident of the City or of the County, or is not known, not at home or otherwise unavailable, or if it is impracticable for any other reason to deliver such pet to the owner's home, then the Animal Control Officer shall deliver such animal to the Animal Protective League at its pound. When an animal is thus impounded, the Animal Control Officer shall, within forty-eight hours, serve notice upon the owner, by personal, residential or certified mail service, of the impounding of the animal and that the animal may be reclaimed within three days of the service of notice upon the payment of an impounding fee of three dollars ($3.00) and the cost of maintenance of the animal at the pound at the then current rate established by the Animal Protective League. If such animal is not claimed by the owner within the time provided, the animal shall be released to the Animal Protective League for disposition by that agency in the manner provided by law. The impounding fees thus collected shall be paid into the office of the City Finance Director.
(e) It is the duty of the Animal Control Officer, in every case where the owner of the pet is known or can be ascertained, to file an affidavit in the Portage County Municipal Court charging such owner with a violation of Section 618.01.
(Ord. 1992-158. Passed 12-7-92.)