(A) Any animal which appears to be stray, at large or unwanted, or which is found to be not wearing a currently valid rabies vaccination tag, as required by state law or this chapter, shall be confined in the animal shelter in a humane manner for a period of five days for redemption by the owner.
(1) Sale or destruction. If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner within the period, it may be offered for sale to any responsible adult not associated with the shelter who is willing to comply with these animal control laws or destroyed in a humane manner.
(2) Notifying owner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, an enforcement officer shall make reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform the owner of the conditions whereby the animal may be redeemed.
(3) Suspected rabies. Animals impounded which have been bitten by a rabid animal or appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or sold, but shall be dealt with as provided in § 90.03.
(4) Unwanted animals.
(a) Owners wishing to surrender their animals shall be responsible for bringing the animal to the shelter.
(b) If an animal is surrendered by the owner to the animal shelter, it may be placed in a home without waiting five days or, it may be destroyed in a humane manner without waiting five days.
(5) Badly diseased or injured animals.
(a) Any animal impounded which is badly wounded or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be destroyed immediately in a humane manner.
(b) If the animal has identification, an enforcement officer shall make a reasonable effort in attempting to notify the owner before disposing of the animal; but if the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the enforcement officer may destroy the animal at his or her discretion in a humane manner.
(6) Other diseased or injured animals.
(a) Any animal impounded which is wounded (not badly wounded) or diseased (not badly diseased) and has no identification shall be destroyed in a humane manner only after consultation by the enforcement officers with a licensed veterinarian.
(b) If the animal has identification, an enforcement officer shall attempt to notify the owner before disposing of the animal; but if the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the enforcement officer may destroy the animal in a humane manner only after consultation with a licensed veterinarian.
(Prior Code, § 3.1.08)
(B) When any animal has been impounded at the animal shelter, notice thereof shall be given to the owner, if possible; or if the owner is unknown, then notice thereof shall be posted for five days, or until the animal is disposed of, on a bulletin board at the animal shelter, and the time and place of taking the animal together with the time and date of posting the notice. The time for redemption of the animal, as herein above provided, shall not begin to run until the notice has been given or posted.
(1) The owner shall be entitled to resume possession of his or her animal, except as already provided for certain animals, upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the payment of shelter fees incurred.
(a) The shelter fees shall be as follows:
1. Redemption by owner: $10; and
2. Adoption fee: $10.
(b) If two or more violations occur within one year, the owner redemption fee shall increase $20. In addition to the other fees set out herein, a boarding fee at the rate of $2 per day must be paid before dogs may be redeemed.
(2) If the dog has not been vaccinated against rabies, the owner will be given a proof of rabies vaccination card at the time of the redemption or adoption. This card will be stamped with a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the dog to the veterinarian of his or her choice for rabies vaccination. Time limit for dogs four months and older will be 48 hours with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies under four months, the time limit would vary according to their age.
(3) The card will be completed and signed by a veterinarian and returned to the animal shelter within the time limit by the owner. If this card is not returned to the animal shelter within the time limit a control officer will be dispatched to retrieve the dog.
(Prior Code, § 3.1.09)