(A) The owner or keeper of any pet that has been impounded under the provisions of this chapter, and which has not been found to be dangerous or vicious, shall have the right to redeem such pet at any time within five days upon payment of all actual costs expended for the care and treatment of the pet, including the actual cost of: (1) all required inoculations and medical care; (2) the spay or neuter procedure which shall be required prior to redemption if the pet is not spayed or neutered; (3) in the case of dogs, the cost of installing a microchip should one not already be present; and (4) a daily fee as determined from time to time by the Winnsboro Animal Control Director.
(B) Any animal determined by an appropriate magistrate, as provided for in § 90.03 above, to be a dangerous or vicious animal but eligible for redemption may be redeemed, within five days of the order of the magistrate, upon the following conditions:
(1) The owner or person harboring or having the care, or the custody of the redeemed animal shall not permit the animal to go unconfined on his premises as provided in § 90.03, above;
(2) The owner or person harboring or having the care or the custody of the redeemed animal shall pay all actual costs expended for the care and treatment of the pet, including the actual cost of: (1) all required inoculations and medical care and (2) the spay or neuter procedure if the pet is not spayed or neutered, as well as a daily fee as determined from time to time by the Winnsboro Animal Control Director.
(C) An owner of animal that is redeemed pursuant to provisions § 90.17(A) or (B) above will not be required to spay or neuter the animal if any of the following conditions apply:
(1) Any owner of a pet who can furnish a statement from a licensed veterinarian that the pet, due to health reasons, could not withstand the spay/neuter surgery; or
(2) Any owner of one or more purebred pets who can furnish proof of participation in nationally recognized conformation or performance events; or
(3) Any owner of a dog that is currently being used for hunting purposes and is properly registered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and whose owner has a valid South Carolina hunting license (provided, however, that if such dog is not properly registered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources then the owner has three days if necessary to register such dog and the failure to do so within three days will result in the dog becoming the property of the Animal Shelter); or
(4) Any individual who is handicapped and who owns a dog which is used for seeing, hearing, or other such assistance purposes.
(Ord. 63, passed 11-15-2022)