(A) Any person, firm or corporation, their agents, servants and employees, may confine any animal which is in violation of this chapter in a humane manner until the person, firm or corporation, its agents, servants or employees can notify the local rabies control authority of the city to come and impound the animal. When so notified, it shall be the duty of the animal control officer or local rabies control authority to impound the animal, as herein provided.
(1) The local rabies control authority or animal control officer shall use reasonable effort to contact the owner of the animal which has been impounded. Final responsibility for locating the animal is that of the animal owner.
(2) The owner may resume possession of any impounded animal upon payment of all impoundment fees, handling fees and veterinarian bills, if any, incurred by the animal control officer for the welfare of the animal, and upon compliance with the vaccination provisions of this chapter.
(3) Disposition of animals impounded upon the grounds that the animal has been treated cruelly or inhumanely shall be the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(4) Animals shall be impounded at the city pound if possible and convenient, and if not possible or if inconvenient, at a place as may be determined by the local rabies control authority.
(5) Any animal being held under quarantine or observation for rabies shall be kept under observation and control until the animal has been released from quarantine and all fees and costs have been paid.
(6) Any animal, except vicious or wild animals, not reclaimed by the owner may be humanely euthanized after being impounded for 72 hours.
(7) Any impounded vicious or wild animal unless there is reason to believe that it has an owner may be immediately disposed of as may be deemed appropriate by the local rabies control authority.
(8) Any nursing baby animal impounded without the mother, or where the mother cannot or refuses to provide nutritious milk, may be immediately euthanized to prevent further suffering.
(9) Any impounded dog or cat may be given up for adoption after 72 hours, except those under quarantine. If the rightful owner appears for his or her dog within 30 days following the adoption, the owner may redeem the animal by paying the adoptee all documented expenses incurred for the animal.
(10) An owner who no longer wishes responsibility for an animal or believes the animal to be in an ill or injured condition, may sign a written waiver supplied by the animal control officer or local rabies control authority allowing the animal to be immediately euthanized in an humane manner, provided however that no warm-blooded animal that has bitten or scratched a human being shall be euthanized before the expiration of the ten-day quarantine period.
(11) Any impounded animal that appears to be suffering from extreme injury or illness may be euthanized or given to a non-profit humane organization for the purpose of veterinary medical care, as determined by the local rabies control authority.
(B) The impounding fees shall be set out in the city's fee schedule, as amended.
(Ord. 102-15, passed 12-16-14; Am. Ord. 101-21, passed 3-16-21)
Cross-reference:
Fee schedule, see § 38.01