A. Impoundment; Citation: When any dog is running at large, is unlicensed, or is a public nuisance as described by section 5-3-8 of this chapter, the dog may be impounded or the owner may be cited to court or both.
B. Notice Of Impoundment; Redemption; Disposal:
1. Notice Of Impoundment; Redemption: Reasonable inquiry shall be made as to the ownership of any dog impounded and such owner or keeper will be notified that the dog is impounded, the location of the animal shelter, the amount of the impoundment fee, and that the dog will be destroyed as provided herein. Unless claimed by the owner, a dog shall be impounded for at least three (3) days, if the dog is without a license or identification tag and for at least five (5) days if it has a license or identification tag. If the dog is unlicensed, the owner shall also purchase a license and pay the applicable penalty for failure to have a license. A reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner of a dog before the dog is removed from impoundment.
2. Disposal: If the owner does not redeem the dog within the allotted time, it may be disposed of in a humane manner prescribed by the impounding facility for the city. Any impounded dog may be released to a responsible person upon assurance that the person will properly care for the dog and not allow it to be a nuisance, and upon payment of the fees and costs provided in this section, and upon agreeing to provide a suitable home. The person thereafter shall be liable as owner of the dog as provided by ordinance. Provided, however, a dog impounded for being a public nuisance under subsection 5-3-8A1 of this chapter shall not be released to its owner or other person except by order of the court.
C. Confinement Of Biting Dog: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, any dog impounded for biting a person shall be held for not less than ten (10) days before its redemption or its destruction to determine if the dog is rabid.
D. Fee Reduction: The city council may provide by resolution for lesser fees or fines under this section for senior citizens. (Ord. 553, 9-12-1988)