[R.O. 1996 § 215.210; CC 1968 § 4-35; Ord. No. 1136 § 2, 2-1-1982; Ord. No. 2277 § 1, 11-2-1992; Ord. No. 2493 § 10, 9-19-1994; Ord. No. 3956 § 2, 5-15-2006]
Dogs or cats which have not been vaccinated against rabies and have not been issued a tag by a licensed veterinarian pursuant to this Chapter; or dogs, cats or animals that have allegedly been cruelly treated or been abused by those in whose care they reside; or dogs, cats or animals that are sick or have been injured and require treatment and the owner cannot be located; or dogs, cats or other animals found not under restraint, in violation of the duty set forth in Section 215.040, may be seized and impounded by any Police or Animal Control Officer and said dog, cat or animal that has been impounded may be treated if necessary. Impoundment may be in any animal shelter so designated by the person in charge of animal control. The owner of the dog, cat or animal shall be responsible for the expenses of impoundment and/or treatment. In the case of a dog, cat or other animal that has allegedly been cruelly treated or been abused and a general ordinance summons for a violation of either Sections 215.050 or 215.060 has been issued or the owner is unknown, said impounded dog, cat or other animal may only be released by order of a judge or when an Animal Control Officer believes the release will not result in cruel treatment or abuse.
[R.O. 1996 § 215.220; CC 1968 § 4-36; Ord. No. 1136 § 2, 2-1-1982: Ord. No. 1688 § 8, 12-7-1987; Ord. No. 2493 § 11, 9-19-1994]
If a dog or cat wears a veterinarian tag or if an owner of a dog, cat, or other animal can by any other reasonable means be identified and located, the owner shall, if at all possible, be notified that the dog, cat, or other animal has been impounded. However, failure of the owner to be notified shall not excuse any violation of this Chapter or any expenses for which the person would otherwise be responsible.
[R.O. 1996 § 215.230; CC 1968 § 4-37; Ord. No. 1136 § 2, 2-1-1982; Ord. No. 1688 § 9, 12-7-1987; Ord. No. 2493 § 12, 9-19-1994; Ord. No. 2510 § 1, 11-7-1994]
A. 
If a dog, cat or other animal is not redeemed by the owner within five (5) business days after impoundment, the dog, cat or other animal may be disposed of in one of the following ways:
1. 
"Humane killing," defined as the destruction of an animal accomplished by a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Panel on Euthanasia (JAVMA 173:59-72, 1978), or more recent additions;
2. 
Release for adoption by a new owner who shows evidence of ability and intention to provide the dog, cat, or other animal with an appropriate home and humane care, and who has the dog, cat or other animal vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian within forty-eight (48) hours. Proof of said vaccination shall be submitted to the Animal Control Office within that time period.
[R.O. 1996 § 215.240; CC 1968 § 4-38; Ord. No. 1136 § 2, 2-1-1982; Ord. No. 1688 § 10, 12-7-1987; Ord. No. 2162 § 1, 1-20-1992; Ord. No. 2493 § 13, 9-19-1994; Ord. No. 2510 § 2, 11-7-1994]
A. 
An owner redeeming a dog or cat from impoundment shall pay a redemption fee in accordance with the following schedule:
1. 
First redemption, twenty-five dollars ($25.00);
2. 
Second redemption and all subsequent redemptions, fifty dollars ($50.00);
Before redeeming a dog or cat, the owner shall provide a receipt from a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies, or said dog or cat shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian within two (2) business days of release and proof of said vaccination shall be submitted to the Animal Control Office within that time period.
B. 
In addition to any redemption fee for an impounded animal an owner redeeming any animal from impoundment shall pay the prevailing board fee charged the City for each twenty-four (24) hours, or fraction thereof, that the dog or cat has been impounded. This shall not apply to "dangerous animals" that have been seized or impounded.
C. 
An owner of an animal impounded under Sections 215.160 through 215.180, or the persons charged with a violation of any of said Sections, may redeem the animal at any time after impoundment, but shall not return said animal to the City of Blue Springs or allow said animal to remain within the City of Blue Springs unless and until said animal is found not to be dangerous by the Municipal Court of the City of Blue Springs or a higher court, or until said court has authorized, by order, its return. Animals not redeemed shall be impounded until a decision is rendered by the court as to whether the animal is a dangerous animal.
1. 
If the animal is adjudged a "dangerous animal" by the court, and it is not redeemed within five (5) business days of the court's decision, the animal shall be disposed of in the manner set forth in Section 215.230(A)(1).
2. 
If the animal is not found by the court to be a "dangerous animal," it shall be released immediately to its owner or the person charged with the violation. If it is not claimed or redeemed within five (5) business days thereafter, it shall be disposed of pursuant to either Subsection (A)(1) or (2) of Section 215.230.