All periods of impoundment herein referred to shall be deemed to commence at 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day of impoundment.
(a) All dogs, whether or not licensed or bearing identification and all other animals bearing identification shall be kept by the Animal Control Officer for a period of not less than 96 hours, unless redeemed within such period. The Animal Control Officer shall, within 24 hours of impoundment, telephone the owner or guardian of record of any animal wearing a license tag or identification, and failing to reach said owner or guardian by telephone within said 24 hour period, he shall immediately send notice of impoundment to said owner or guardian by mail. The owner or guardian of record shall be charged for the cost of all such notice of impoundment.
(b) Any impounded animal which is of a type referred to in Section 17003 of the Agricultural Code of the State of California shall be kept by the Animal Control Officer for at least five days unless it is redeemed within such period. If not so redeemed, said animal shall be turned over to the Bureau of Livestock Identification for disposition by that office.
(c) Any other animal, the impoundment of which is not otherwise specifically covered by law, shall be kept for at least 48 hours unless redeemed within such period. A wild animal which has been taken up by the Animal Control Officer shall be deemed not to be impounded unless there is reason to believe it has an owner or guardian. Such an animal need not be retained for any minimum period of time, but shall be returned to a park or wild area where lawful, unless said animal is dangerous or suffering excessively, in which case it may be forthwith humanely destroyed.
(d) Any animal which is voluntarily surrendered to the Animal Control Officer by the owner or guardian shall be deemed not to be impounded and need not be kept by the Animal Control Officer for any minimum period of time.
(e) Any animal which is placed in the custody of the Animal Control Officer by a public officer, on behalf of a person who is at the time unable to care for such animal, shall be deemed not to have been impounded and may be reclaimed by its owner or guardian upon payment to the Animal Control Officer of the charges for feeding and caring for said animal as set forth in Section 41.10 hereof. Any animal held in custody as provided herein which is not reclaimed by its owner or guardian within 14 days after notice to reclaim has been given to said owner or guardian shall be deemed to be abandoned and may be sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Animal Control Officer, provided, however, that if said animal is dangerous to retain or is suffering excessively, it may forthwith be humanely destroyed by the Animal Control Officer.
(Added by Ord. 226-73, File No. 136-73-1, App. 6/22/73; amended by Ord. 5-03, File No. 021645, App. 1/24/2003)