A. Impoundment; Registry: Any law enforcement officer shall have the authority to apprehend any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter and to impound such dog. The officer shall, upon receiving any dog, make a complete registry, entering the breed, color, and sex of such dog and the number of the registration tag if known.
B. Notice To Owner And Redemption: Not later than two (2) days after the impounding of any dog, the owner shall be notified in writing, or if the owner of the dog is unknown, written notice shall be posted for four (4) days at three (3) or more conspicuous places in the town, describing the dog and the place and time of taking. The owner of any dog so impounded may reclaim such dog upon proof of compliance with rabies vaccination provisions as herein provided, and upon payment of all costs and charges incurred by the town for impounding and maintenance of such dog, and upon purchasing a license for said impounded dog if that dog has not been licensed prior to capture.
C. Disposition Of Unclaimed Or Infected Dogs; Removal From Town:
1. It shall be the duty of any law enforcement officer to keep all dogs so impounded for a period of four (4) days. If at the expiration of four (4) days from the date of notice to the owner of the posting of notice, such dog shall not have been redeemed, it may be destroyed in a humane manner or sold. Any unregistered dog required by law to be registered, or any dog which appears to be suffering from rabies or affected with hydrophobia, mange, or other infectious or dangerous disease shall not be released, but may be forthwith destroyed in a humane manner. (1976 Code § 8.04.140; amd. 2016 Code)
2. Whenever an animal is to be put to death under this chapter, except for infection with rabies, the owner or other person may apply to law enforcement for permission to remove the animal permanently from the town. Upon such person's filing with the court his written agreement to remove the animal from the town and be responsible for its remaining out permanently, the police judge may, in his discretion, make an order allowing the animal to be removed from the town instead of being put to death. (1976 Code § 8.08.040; amd. 2016 Code)
D. Teasing Or Unauthorized Release of Animals: It shall be unlawful for any person to tease, harass, or bother by any means, any dog which is upon the premises of the owner thereof. It shall further be unlawful for any person to release any dog from the premises of the owner, or to, in any manner, or by any means, lure such dog from the premises of the owner of the property, vehicle, or enclosure in which such dog is contained. (1976 Code § 8.04.140)