(A) It is the duty of the animal control officer of the town to take into his, her, or their possession any animal that may be in violation of this chapter running at-large upon the streets, curbing, alleys, public places, or trespassing upon the lands of any person within the corporate limits of the town, or any animal which constitutes a public nuisance, and impound such animal. An animal impounded by virtue of this chapter shall be released to the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof upon payment of the cost of feeding such animal a sum as set by the town’s Board of Trustees.
(B) If the owner or person entitled to the possession of any animal impounded under this chapter does not procure the release of such animal within 48 hours after impoundment, the animal control officer shall post a description of the animal in the Town Clerk-Treasurer’s office, which description shall give the color, sex, and description of the animal impounded and shall state that the animal will be sold, or otherwise disposed of, unless it is released from impoundment on a date not less than 72 hours from the date the notice or description is posted in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.
(C) If the owner or person entitled to the possession of any animal impounded under this section is known, the animal control officer shall notify him, her, or them, in writing or by telephone, that the animal will be destroyed unless the owner or other person releases such animal from impoundment. If such animal is not released from impoundment by the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof prior to such date, the animal control officer may sell the animal to the highest bidder for cash, and the buyer shall thereafter have complete title to such animal.
(D) From the proceeds of the sale of animals sold under this section, there shall be first paid the cost of feeding the animals and the cost of publishing the notice of sale. The residue shall be paid into the office of the Town Clerk-Treasurer and placed to the credit of the General Fund.
(E) Any authorized officer may enter on the premises of the owner or other private premises to take an animal into custody which is in violation of this chapter.
(F) An animal impounded and found to be suffering from a dangerous disease shall not be released while infected and may be destroyed if deemed necessary by the animal control officer.
(Prior Code, § 4-107) Penalty, see § 90.99