(A) At large dogs may be lawfully taken by any person and impounded in the animal shelter. The person must notify the shelter staff of the owner’s name and address, if known.
(B) Impoundment register. The Sheriff or shelter shall maintain a register of all dogs impounded pursuant to this chapter and such register shall show the identification tag number, if any, breed of the dog, a description of the dog by coloring and marking, the time and date of the impoundment, the name of the officer impounding the dog, the area in which such dog was picked up, the method and time of notifying the owner, if known, of redemption procedures, and if known, the disposition of the dog and the date and time thereof.
(C) Redemption. An owner reclaiming an impounded dog shall pay impoundment fees and board fees in accordance with a resolution adopted by the county. If the dog is required to be licensed, the fees shall be paid at the time of redemption, and the tags issued upon presentation of proof of rabies vaccination. If, the person reclaiming the dog has outstanding unpaid tickets (tickets not pending hearing appeal), those must also be paid prior to the release of the dog.
(D) Impounded dogs shall be released to owners or custodians on presentation of proof of ownership, and proof that all appropriate fees have been paid. Any dog apprehended or turned into the shelter for impoundment shall be held for a minimum of five days. Any dog wearing a collar with a valid license tag shall be held for a minimum of five days, and the Deputy or shelter shall make reasonable effort to contact the owner. Any dog not redeemed during the required holding period shall be deemed to have been surrendered to the animal shelter for disposition.
(E) Seriously injured, diseased, or wild dogs need not be detained for the holding period, but with the concurrence of a veterinarian or certified euthanasia technician may be disposed of in a humane manner at any time. Not withstanding the provisions of any other portion of this chapter, any dog impounded for biting a person shall be held for not less than ten days before redemption or destruction, to determine if the dog is rabid, unless the owner shows proof of current rabies vaccination and has an adequate area for home quarantine. This determination will be made by the Deputy or Sheriff.
(F) Any impounded dog, following the holding periods, and dogs voluntarily surrendered to the animal shelter, shall be disposed of in a humane manner, or, at the discretion of the shelter manager, may be held for a longer period to allow for adoption. No dogs shall be knowingly sold or given away by the county or its designee for the purposes of animal experimentation.
(G) Other animals may be impounded at the shelter’s discretion.
(Ord. 524, passed 9-13-2010)