[Prior Code, Sec. 3-23; amended by Ord. 557, Sec. III; Ord. 671, 3-3-1986]
A City pound is hereby established to be under the immediate
control of the pound officer hereinafter authorized by this Section.
A pound officer shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation
by the City Council, and the pound officer shall be under the immediate
control and supervision of the City Council. He shall be specifically
directed in his duties by that member of the City Council who shall
be designated by the Mayor to be in control of the animal pound. The
pound officer shall provide proper sustenance for all animals impounded
and shall treat them in a humane manner. The City may contract with
another agency for the use of a pound maintained by such agency, if
such should exist within the City.
[Prior Code, Sec. 3-24; amended by Ord. 557, 10-1-1973; Ord. 671, 3-3-1986; Ord. 852, 6-3-1996]
A. The pound officer shall:
1. Take into custody and impound any animal running at large in violation
of any provision of the ordinances of the City;
2. May enter upon the premises of the owner or other private premises
to take such animal into custody; and
3. If with reasonable effort a dog or a cat running at large cannot
be caught, may kill it, whether on or off private premises.
B. Any other person may take such animal into custody and present it
to the authority in charge of the pound for impounding. The Council,
by motion or resolution, may provide for the payment of rewards to
private persons who present such animals at the pound if funds exist
for the purpose.
C. Upon the impounding of any animal found running at large, diligent
effort shall be made by the pound officer or appropriate agents of
the City to ascertain the owner of the animal. If the owner can be
ascertained, notice of the impounding of the animal shall be given
either by mail or by telephone to the owner's usual place of residence.
The owner may redeem the animal as provided in this chapter.
D. No animal taken into custody as provided in this Section shall destroyed
or permanently disposed of prior to the expiration of five days from
the date of taking the animal into custody.
E. The pound officer is authorized and empowered to sign complaints
in his own name charging persons with violations of the animal laws
of the City. The pound officer is further authorized to investigate
nuisances concerning animals within the City, and is authorized to
initiate complaints and to sign petitions in the proper courts to
abate either public or private nuisances, in regard to animals, which
nuisance petitions shall be prepared by the City Attorney.
[1957 Code, Sec. B24]
An owner of an impounded animal or his agent may redeem the
animal, prior to its sale or destruction as provided for herein, by
paying the required fees against the animal and meeting any other
requirements which may be prescribed in this chapter.
[Prior Code, Sec. 3-29; amended 4-5-2021 by Ord. No. 1320-2021]
The owner of an impounded animal sold as provided herein may claim the excess of the sale price of the animal above the fees for impounding and keeping the same and a fee as set forth in Chapter
1-3, Fees, to reimburse the City for any expense it has had in making the sale, at any time within three months after the sale. If a claim is so made and approved by the Council, the City Clerk shall pay him such excess. If a claim is not made within three months after the sale, the excess shall belong to the City.