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(A) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner within the period prescribed in § 91.52, it may be destroyed in a humane manner or shall become the property of the animal shelter and offered for adoption. A new adult owner or community cat caregiver who agrees to comply with this chapter may acquire an impounded animal; however, any prospective new owner or community cat caregiver shall not be an animal dealer who acquires animals for resale. The prospective new owner or community cat caregiver must pay any required fees. The county will not purposefully release for adoption any animal that has previously bitten a person, is aggressive or is potentially dangerous. Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Environmental Services Director or designee for rescue groups and other animal welfare groups that apply in writing to the section. The placement of animals with these organizations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
(B) All unsterilized dogs and cats five months of age or older adopted from the county animal shelter shall be either spayed or neutered within 30 days of their adoption. All animals adopted under five months of age shall be spayed or neutered at six months of age. The adopter shall promptly provide written proof of the sterilization to the Animal Control Section. The adoption of any animal not sterilized pursuant to this section shall be deemed to violate the provision of this section and must be returned by the applicant for re-adoption to the county animal shelter. The Animal Control Section is authorized to obtain an adoption agreement from an applicant to implement the provisions of this section.
(C) (1) The animal shelter shall require from the adopter a sterilization deposit fee established by the Board of Commissioners to ensure that sterilization is obtained in addition to the established adoption fee if the animal has not been sterilized prior to its being adopted.
(2) When written proof that a licensed veterinarian has performed the required sterilization is returned to the Animal Control Section, a fee equal to the sterilization portion of the deposit will be reimbursed to the adopter. A person who fails within the specified time to arrange for the sterilization of an unsterilized cat or dog adopted from the animal shelter forfeits the sterilization deposit fee and shall surrender the cat or dog to the animal shelter.
(D) No animal which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray and unclaimed shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal shelter during a period of emergency rabies quarantine invoked pursuant to § 91.36 except by special authorization of the Director of Environmental Services.
(E) Any animal that exhibits fierce, dangerous or aggressive behavior will not be offered for adoption.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004; Am. Ord. passed 6-4-2012)
(A) Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every person who either adopts or redeems a dog or cat at the animal shelter shall have his or her animal vaccinated for rabies. A one-year vaccination may be obtained at the time of reclaim or adoption at the county animal shelter. Each redeemed community cat shall be vaccinated at the animal shelter. If the owner or adopter wishes to receive the vaccine for his or her animal at a veterinary practice of their choice, they will be given a “proof of rabies vaccination card” at the time of the redemption or adoption. This card will be stamped with a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the dog or cat to the veterinarian of the person’s choice for rabies vaccination. The time limit for dogs and cats four months and older will be 72 hours, with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies and kittens under four months, the Environmental Services Director or his or her designee will determine the time limit according to their age within 72 hours of the designated date.
(B) The “proof of rabies vaccination card” will be completed and returned to the animal shelter by the veterinarian. If this card is not returned to the animal shelter within the time limit specified on the card, an animal control officer will be dispatched to retrieve the dog or cat.
(C) Payment for the rabies vaccination provided for in this section will be the responsibility of the person redeeming or adopting the animal.
(D) The adoption agreement will be completed at the time of adoption. If the adopter fails to comply with the agreement, an animal control officer may be dispatched to retrieve the dog or cat if corrective action has not been taken by the animal’s owner.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any animal impounded, which is seriously wounded or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be destroyed immediately. If the animal has identification, the Animal Control Section shall attempt to notify the owner before disposing of such, but if the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the Animal Control Section may destroy the animal, at its discretion, in a humane manner.
(B) The Animal Control Section has the authority to humanely destroy severely injured livestock upon the owner’s request or when the owner is unknown.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
An animal surrendered by its owner to the Animal Control Section may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely destroyed at the discretion of the Environmental Services Director or the Director’s designee without compliance with § 91.51 when the owner:
(A) Affirmatively represents in writing that he or she is the legal owner of the animal;
(B) Agrees to hold the county and its officials and employees harmless from any liability, claims or damages that may be sustained by reason of the adoption or destruction of the animal; and
(C) Transfers ownership of the animal to the Animal Control Section.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
(A) (1) Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined a civil penalty of $200. If the violation is continued, each day’s violation shall constitute a separate offense. Payment of the penalties shall be made within ten days. Civil penalties may be assessed by citation and recovered by the county in a civil action in the nature of a debt.
(2) If any dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall, when unprovoked, attack, assault, wound, bite or otherwise injure or kill a human, the owner shall pay a $500 civil penalty and, after a ten- day waiting period exclusive of Sundays and holidays, the dog shall be destroyed by the Animal Control Section. For each owner’s subsequent violation, the owner shall pay a $1,500 civil penalty for owning or keeping a dangerous dog which attacks, assaults, wounds, bites or otherwise injures or kills a human.
(3) If any dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall, when unprovoked, kill, wound or assist in killing or wounding any domestic animal or pet, the owner of the dog shall pay a $250 civil penalty. The Animal Control Section shall confiscate and, after the expiration of a ten-day waiting period exclusive of Sundays and holidays, destroy the dangerous dog. For each subsequent violation, the owner shall pay a civil penalty of $500.
(4) Violation of this chapter may subject the violator to criminal as well as civil action. In addition to the civil penalties or fees imposed under this chapter, violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor for which a criminal summons may be issued. Each day’s violation of this section is a separate offense. Payment of a fine imposed in criminal proceedings pursuant to this division does not relieve a person of his or her liability for taxes, civil penalties or fees imposed under this chapter.
(5) In addition, enforcement of this chapter may be by appropriate equitable remedy, injunction or order of abatement issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(B) (1) Any owner permitting an animal to be at large, under § 91.07, shall pay a civil penalty of:
(a) First violation: $100, plus shelter reclaim fee and any boarding fee;
(b) Second violation: $150, plus shelter reclaim fee and any boarding fee; and
(c) Succeeding violation: $200, plus shelter reclaim fee and any boarding fee.
(2) The penalty shall be paid within 72 hours of the issuance of a citation for violation of § 91.07.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)