The following animals may be impounded and the owner or harborer
issued citations:
(1)
Any
animal that constitutes a public nuisance;
(2)
Any
animal infected or kept under conditions which could endanger public
health;
(3)
Any
animal in violation of any provision of this chapter;
(4)
Any
animal subject to impoundment under any provision of state law.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.301)
If any of the domestic animals named in this chapter is found
upon the premises of any person, the owner or occupant of the premises
shall have the right to confine such animal in a humane manner until
an animal control officer can be notified. When so notified, an animal
control officer shall impound such animal as herein provided.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.302)
(a)
If the owner of an animal is known, immediate notice of impoundment shall be given to said owner. Any impounded animal, unless under quarantine, may be redeemed upon payment of the impoundment fee, care and feeding fees, veterinary fee, rabies vaccination fee and such other costs as set out in appendix A to this code.
(b)
Any
impounded wild animal, unless there is reason to believe that it has
an owner, may be immediately euthanized as deemed appropriate by the
city sanitarian or animal control officer.
(c)
If
a nursing baby animal(s) is impounded without the mother, or if the
mother cannot or refuses to provide nutritious milk, such animal may
be offered to contracted rescue partners, veterinarian offices, or
another animal control agency. In the event that no agency can be
found to intake the baby animal(s) it may then be euthanized to prevent
further suffering.
(d)
Disposition
of animals impounded on the grounds of cruel or inhumane treatment
as defined in this chapter shall be determined by the court of jurisdiction.
(e)
Any
animal, except wild animals, not reclaimed by the owner becomes the
property of the city and may be euthanized or adopted to a suitable
owner at the discretion of the animal control officer. Such unclaimed
animal shall be held for seventy-two (72) hours (three (3) working
days) for dogs, and forty-eight (48) hours (two (2) working days)
for cats; except, however, any dog or cat wearing a current rabies
tag shall be held for not less than five (5) working days.
(f)
If
an animal is wearing a current rabies/license tag, reasonable effort
shall be made by the animal control officer to contact the owner of
such impounded animal; however, final responsibility for reclaiming
of an impounded animal is that of the owner.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.303; Ordinance
adopting Code; Ordinance
22-084 adopted 9/27/2022)
(a)
The owner of each dog, cat or other animal impounded by the animal control officer will be assessed impoundment fees as provided for in section A4.04.004 of the fee schedule in appendix A to this code.
(b)
Fractions
of a twenty-four-hour period shall be computed at a full day’s
rate for the purposes of the daily charges set out above.
(c)
The
owner of an impounded animal must pay for rabies vaccination if such
animal has not been vaccinated. All applicable fees, citations and
any other expense incurred by the city must be paid by the owner at
the time such owner reclaims the animal.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.304)
(a)
Any impounded domestic animal may be adopted from the animal control shelter if and when all criteria outlined in this chapter are met and the adoption charges outlined in section A4.04.005 of the fee schedule in appendix A to this code are paid by the adoption applicant.
(b)
If
the rightful owner appears to reclaim his or her dog or cat within
thirty (30) days from the date of adoption, he or she may redeem the
animal by paying the person who adopted the animal all documented
expenses incurred for the animal.
(c)
An
owner who no longer wishes responsibility for an animal may sign an
animal release form supplied by the animal control officer which allows
the animal to be immediately euthanized in a humane manner or be subject
to adoption.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.305)
(a)
The
animal control officer shall be authorized to euthanize or place in
the care of a veterinarian's office or contracted rescue partner any
animal suffering from extreme injury or illness, whether such animal
is found on public or private property, and after a reasonable effort
has been made to locate the owner of such animal.
(b)
When
the redemption of an animal suffering from any disease or injury is
sought by its owner, such animal shall not be released until the animal
control officer is satisfied that its proper treatment is assured.
(1990 Code, sec. 2.306; Ordinance 22-084 adopted 9/27/2022)
