(A) Impoundment of dogs at large. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police or his or her representatives to take up and take charge of all unlicensed dogs found at large within the town and to take such dogs to the town dog pound or other suitable place approved by the Town Council, there to be impounded. Any officer so charged with such duty shall have the right when in pursuit to enter upon any premises within the town in order to take possession of such dog.
(B) Notification of owner. As soon as possible after any dog has been delivered to the town dog pound as provided in division (A) above, it shall be the duty of the Chief of Police or his or her representative to make reasonable efforts to notify the owner or person who has been keeping or harboring such dog, in person, by letter, postal card, or telephone.
(C) Redemption. The person entitled to the possession of any dog taken up and delivered to the designated town pound as provided in this subchapter, upon proper application, within five days from the date of impounding such dog shall be entitled to have such dog released to him or her, provided such dog is not known to be affected with rabies (hydrophobia), mange, or other infectious disease, upon payment of all accrued charges concerning such dog; and in the case of unlicensed dogs, upon obtaining a license for the current year for such dog.
(D) Destruction of unredeemed dog.
(1) Any dog which is not redeemed, adopted, or purchased as set forth herein shall be handled pursuant to guidelines and/or the rules and regulations of the facility in which the dog has been impounded. After five calendar days, the town shall have no duty to redeem, purchase, house, or destroy the dog.
(2) In the case of diseased dogs impounded under the terms of this subchapter, other than those affected or thought to be affected by rabies, it shall not be necessary to await the expiration of the redemption period before destroying such dogs.
(Prior Code, § 6-3A-7) (Ord. 352, passed 10-4-2007; Ord. 2024-01, passed 4-4-2024)