(A) No animal owner or possessor of any animal covered by this subchapter may at any time permit the same to be in a situation or place where it can inflict injury or be a threat of danger to any human being, livestock, or other domesticated animal.
(B) Any such animal known to have inflicted a biting injury upon one or more persons with injury of sufficient severity to require medical treatment shall be impounded and observed at the owner's expense in a way consistent with Section 3 of the Rabies Control Act. (A.C.A. 20-19-301-312). It can also be determined per the animal control officer if the severity of the situation is low and facility space is unavailable, that a home quarantine protocol can be used instead of impoundment. If a home quarantine protocol is used, the owner or possessor must periodically update the animal control officer or Health Department agent. The written guidelines shall be the same as provided from the Arkansas Department of Health website.
(C) Any police officer or animal control officer, who has reasonable grounds to believe that an animal is vicious and uncontrolled, or a threat to human safety may impound such animal at the owner's expense. The owner shall have 14 days to pick up said animal and pay the fees accrued therein or said animal shall become the property of the impounding facility. Furthermore, upon release the owner shall be required to muzzle said animal and/or restrain it in any other manner consistent with § 93.17.
(D) If, in the discretion of the animal control officer or any other police officer, capture of an animal believed to be vicious, uncontrolled and a threat to human safety poses too great a danger to the capturing officer or other human beings, lethal force may be used, in accordance with the agency's firearms policy and all other relevant policies, to prevent harm to human beings, livestock, or domesticated animals.
(E) Any police officer or animal control officer, who impounds an animal by seizure subject to arrest, animal cruelty or neglect complaint shall follow Act 33 of 2009 (Notice of Animal Seizure and Release of Liability Form).
(F) Any police officer or animal control officer that impounds any animal stray animal/dogs in any other manner than division (E) above shall hold said animal and it shall remain at the appropriate place of custody for a period of at least 14 consecutive days from the date of impoundment, including weekends and holidays. After the expiration of the 14 days, such impounded dog/animal shall be adopted or humanely euthanized as hereinafter provided in this subchapter. The police officer or animal control officer shall make diligent efforts to locate/notify supposed owner. The notification shall be posted to a local social media page concurrent with the animals pick up location.
(Ord. 2021-9, passed 5-18-21; Am. Ord. 2023-24, passed 10-17-23)