(A) If there is reasonable cause shown that an animal would constitute a hazard to the safety of the public at large during the pendency of any action or proceeding commenced under this Chapter, or that the owner of such animal has subjected the animal to neglect or cruelty, the court may order such animal impounded pending the outcome of such proceedings. Any person who owns, kept, harbored, maintained, or controlled the animal involved in such impoundment shall pay all expenses of the impoundment to the Animal Control Authority, including costs of shelter, food, veterinary expenses, boarding, and other expenses necessitated by the impoundment of the animal or as may be required for the protection of the public. The Animal Control Authority may require such person, prior to expiration of ten (10) days after the date of impoundment, to pay an amount sufficient to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and providing for the animal, including estimated medical care, for thirty (30) days, inclusive of the date on which the animal was impounded. If such payment is not made prior to expiration of such ten (10)-day period, the animal shall become the property of the Animal Control Authority and may be humanely disposed of, destroyed, or placed with a new owner, as the Animal Control Authority deems appropriate. Such payment shall be required for each succeeding thirty (30)-day period. If any such payment is not made prior to the end of each succeeding thirty (30)-day period, the animal shall become the property of the Animal Control Authority and may be humanely disposed of, destroyed, or placed with a new owner, as the Animal Control Authority deems appropriate.
(B) The amount of the payment shall be determined by the Animal Control Authority based on the current rate for board at the Animal Shelter and the condition of the animal after its examination by a veterinarian acting for the Animal Control Authority. Any such payment received by the Animal Control Authority in excess of the amount determined by the Animal Control Authority to be due for the board and care of the animal shall be refunded by the Animal Control Authority upon expiration of the order of impoundment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the owner of the animal is found not guilty of animal neglect or cruelty, the owner shall only be required to pay the veterinary expenses and one-half of the board and care fees determined by the Animal Control Authority to be due.
(C) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined by a veterinarian acting for the Animal Control Authority that such animal is diseased or disabled, that it would be inhumane to allow such animal to continue to suffer the effects of such disease or disability, and that the owner of such animal declines to advance the costs of reasonable veterinary efforts to cure or ameliorate the effects of such disease or disability and that the costs of such veterinary efforts are not otherwise economically practicable, then the animal shall immediately become the property of the Animal Control Authority and may be humanely disposed of, destroyed, or placed with a new owner, as the Animal Control Authority deems appropriate. (Ord. No. 828, 10/16/12)