6.12.190   Licensing and microchipping impounded animals.
   A.   The Poundmaster shall not release an unlicensed animal to its owner or sell an unlicensed animal to any person who resides in the city, unless the owner or purchaser, respectively, secures the required license, and pays any fees and penalties required. The Poundmaster shall not release an animal from the Visalia Animal Care Center that is not microchipped to its owner or transfer ownership of an animal to any person until a microchip has been implanted in the animal. The owner of the animal is solely responsible for all costs associated with microchip implantation.
   B.   The Poundmaster shall not release to the owner or purchaser any dog whose license has been revoked after a hearing pursuant to Section 6.16.010 to 6.16.090, except in those instances when the hearing officer has determined the bite, attack, or injury was the result of improper or negligent training, handling, or maintenance, and the owner of the dog is in compliance with the conditions required by the hearing officer.
(Ord. 2019-09, § 2, 2019; Ord. 9605 § 20 (part), 1996: prior code § 4608)