(a) The Mayor shall appoint a person to the part-time office of Twinsburg Animal Warden. The position shall be in the unclassified, non-competitive and non-civil service employ of the City and the Animal Warden services may also be rendered co-operatively by adjoining political subdivisions. The Animal Warden shall receive no fringe benefits other than the salary and those as shall be required by law. It shall be the duty of the Warden to enforce the terms and provisions of this chapter together with all other ordinances and resolutions or county or State law governing animals and shall be provided with a clearly marked vehicle, cap, badge, identification and necessary equipment all of which shall remain within the corporate limits of the Municipality and be utilized for its purposes only. The Warden shall perform such other related functions to his office as shall be assigned by the Director of Public Safety. Compensation for the Warden shall be as provided in the Basic Salary Ordinance of the City. The Warden shall serve in such office continuously but shall be subject to termination by the Safety Director for whatever reason with or without cause.
(b) A police officer or the Animal Warden may impound every animal or dog found in violation of Section 505.01 hereof. If the impounded dog is not wearing a valid registration tag, the dog shall forthwith be turned over to an officer charged by law with the custody and disposal of such dogs. If the dog is wearing a valid registration tag or the identity of the owner or harborer is otherwise established, notice shall immediately be given to such owner or harborer that the dog has been impounded. Notice may be by telephone or by ordinary mail to the last known address of such owner or harborer. The dog shall not be released except upon the payment of reasonable expenses for its taking and keeping. Any dog not redeemed within three days of the time it is seized or impounded may be sold or otherwise disposed of as provided in Ohio R.C. 955.16.
(c) A record of all dogs impounded, the disposition of the same, the owner's name and address, if known, and a statement of any costs or receipts involving such dog shall be kept.
(Ord. 26-1977. Passed 2-8-77.)
(Ord. 26-1977. Passed 2-8-77.)
(d) Fees. The following fees pertaining to animal or pet apprehension or disposal by City employees shall be and are hereby made payable from the owner, keeper or harborer of such animal to the Director of Finance:
(1) Five dollars ($5.00) per initial apprehension and first day's boarding.
(2) One dollar ($1.00) per day for each additional day's board or fraction thereof.
(3) Five dollars ($5.00) for each animal picked up for disposal.
(Ord. 65-1977. Passed 4-26-77.)
(e) In the event that an animal warden or law enforcement agent has probable cause to believe that a vicious dog is being harbored or cared for in violation of this chapter, the warden or agent may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to order the seizure and impoundment of the vicious dog pending trial.
(f) In the event that a warden or agent has probable cause to believe that a vicious dog is running at large, then the warden or agent may seize and impound the dog without seeking prior court order.
(Ord.04-1988. Passed 2-9-88.)
(Ord.04-1988. Passed 2-9-88.)