(A) General. The Chief Animal Control Officer and his or her designees may humanely seize and impound at the animal control shelter any domesticated companion animal or livestock found running at large. If the animal is non-vicious or non-dangerous and its owner can be ascertained and is available, the Chief Animal Control Officer may return the animal to its owner and may cite the owner of the animal for any violation that has occurred. The Chief Animal Control Officer may also seize and impound any animal that is, within his or her reasonable discretion, subject to abuse, cruelty, abandonment or neglect, by the quickest and most reasonable means available and may cite the owner with a violation of this chapter and/or applicable state laws.
(B) Notification of owner. Immediately after impounding an animal, if the owner of the animal can be identified by collar, license, tag or by other means, the Chief Animal Control Officer shall notify the owner about the animal’s impoundment by first class mail or telephone. The Chief Animal Control Officer shall inform the owner of the steps necessary to regain custody of the animal. The Chief Animal Control Officer or a duly recognized service provider under contract with Downriver Central Animal Control Agency or the DCACA may dispose of impounded animals which are not claimed within the state statutory holding periods in a manner set forth by the terms of this chapter.
(C) Redeeming impounded animals. An owner may redeem an animal from impoundment by executing a sworn statement of ownership, furnishing a license and tag and paying all expenses associated with the seizure and impoundment of the animal. The Chief Animal Control Officer shall not knowingly release any impounded animal to an owner who has been convicted of animal cruelty, abandonment, neglect or other related criminal violations of state law or of this chapter without a court order.
(D) Impoundment by citizens. Any citizen shall immediately contact the Downriver Central Animal Control Agency and county animal control with a description of the animal and location where found and must turn over the animal to animal control. Animal control may allow the animal to remain with the citizen if an owner is located or known. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to deliver any lost/stray animal in their possession to an Animal Control Officer upon request.
(E) Adoption of impounded animals.
(1) A person who wishes to adopt an impounded animal that has not been redeemed by its owner must sign an adoption agreement that contains a sworn statement that he or she will own and keep the animal in accordance with the terms of this chapter and state laws.
(2) If the animal has not been sterilized, the sworn statement must also provide that the adopted animal will be sterilized in accordance with Public Act 287 of 1919, being M.C.L.A. §§ 287.261 through 287.290.
(3) The sworn statement must also provide that the animal will not be used for fighting or other illegal activity and will not be subjected to, sold or otherwise used for medical or other testing or experimentation.
(4) Any person adopting an impounded animal must pay shelter, boarding and other charges associated with the seizure and impoundment of the animal prior to the release of the animal. Such charges shall be posted conspicuously at the animal control shelter. Any subsequent failure to follow any of the terms of the adoption agreement shall be a violation of this chapter.
(5) The Chief Animal Control Officer shall not knowingly adopt an animal to a person who has been convicted of animal cruelty, abandonment, neglect or other related criminal violations of state law or of this chapter without a court order. The Chief Animal Control Officer may decline to adopt an animal if other circumstances exist, which, in the opinion of the Chief Animal Control Officer would endanger the health, safety or welfare of people or animals.
(Prior Code, § 4-4) (Ord. 1370, passed 9-17-2012) Penalty, see § 90.999