[Ord. No. 792 §5-10, 10-16-1995]
A.
There is hereby established the office of Animal Control Officer, and the Mayor, with the advice of the Chief of Police, shall appoint some suitable person, a resident of the City, to fill the office. The Animal Control Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Council. He/she shall be supervised by and be under the control of the Chief of Police. The duties of the Animal Control Officer shall include:
1.
The enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter and any other State, County or City ordinance or law pertaining to the control of animals as they apply within the limits of the City of Caruthersville.
2.
The impoundment, transportation and confinement of any animal, whether on view or as the result of a complaint, in violation of the provisions of this or any other applicable law or ordinance.
3.
The impoundment and quarantine of any animal believed to have bitten or scratched someone, or exhibiting the symptoms of rabies, for a period of ten (10) days from the date of the bite or scratch. This impoundment shall be at the animal owner's expense in the City Animal Shelter or at a veterinary clinic. However, the offending animal may be impounded/quarantined at the animal owner's residence if all of the following conditions are met:
a.
The offending animal has a valid rabies vaccination.
b.
The animal is not considered, by the Chief of Police or Animal Control Officer to be a dangerous/fierce animal.
c.
The animal owner and victim (victim's family if victim is a minor) both agree to the quarantine at the owner's home or business.
d.
The animal owner agrees to the following guidelines:
(1)
Animal is not allowed outdoors off-leash.
(2)
Animal is allowed no contact with visitors or other animals.
(3)
Animal must reside indoors for the duration of the quarantine observation.
(4)
The Animal Control Officer or other designated Police Official shall have twenty-four (24) hour access to the animal to check on its condition.
(5)
If the owner fails to follow these guidelines, the Animal Control officer shall impound the animal at the designated facility for the remainder of the observation period.
(6)
If an animal dies while under quarantine during the ten (10) days of impoundment, regardless of location or cause of death, the Animal Control Officer shall be notified and cause the head to be removed by a veterinarian and submitted for rabies testing. The owner will be responsible for all costs involved.
4.
The destruction of any animal in violation of this or any other applicable law or ordinance, when such animal cannot be safely impounded, exhibits the symptoms of rabies, or is deemed by the Animal Control Officer or on-duty Police Shift Leader to be a dangerous/fierce animal, or is injured to such an extent that in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer or on-duty Police Shift Leader such destruction would be merciful. Such destruction shall be humanely performed and may be carried out by an on-duty Police Officer or the Animal Control Officer.
5.
The issuance of a "Notice to Abate Nuisance Within Ten Days" to the owner or tenant of any household or business establishment where reasonable suspicion exists that a public nuisance is being kept, maintained or controlled. Such a notice may be issued in person, by U.S. Mail to the property owner, tenant or agent, or by posting on the premises.
6.
The impoundment, if facilities for such impoundment are available, of any and all animals continuing as a public nuisance upon expiration of the ten (10) day notice period; and transportation of the animal to the City Animal Shelter.
7.
The removal at the owner's request of any unwanted animal from any City resident and transportation of the animal to the City Animal Shelter for disposal.
8.
Maintaining and operating the City Animal Shelter by keeping and maintaining the animals, and all structures, pens, runs, or yards in which the animals are kept, in such a manner as to prevent a nuisance or health hazard to humans and to avoid injury to the animals. All cages and holding areas must be properly sanitized so as to keep the animals enclosed therein free of disease. No wooden cages, painted or unpainted shall be allowed. All such caged animals shall be provided with a constant supply of wholesome food and water, or in lieu of this, the Animal Control Officer shall prominently and publicly post and shall follow a schedule for adequate care of the animals, appropriate for their species, age and general health. All disease infested animals shall be removed and treated to prevent the spread of disease or, euthanized if required.