The animal control officer is authorized to take up all unrestrained animals found to be in violation of this article and impound them in the animal shelter. All such animals shall be confined in a humane manner.

Where ownership of such animal is known, a notice of violation may be issued by the animal control officer to the owner. The animal control officer may also file a complaint with the municipal court ordering the violator to appear in court and answer such charges.

Upon impounding animals with current vaccination or city license tags, the animal control officer shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner, and to inform them of the conditions for redeeming the animals.

(1998 Code, sec. 2.201)

§ 2.02.002 Redemption requirements.

(a)

Payment required.

Any animal impounded under the provisions of this article may be reclaimed by the owner upon payment of all impoundment fees.

(b)

Unvaccinated animals.

Any dog or cat over the age of four (4) months which does not have a current rabies vaccination tag may not be redeemed, transferred or adopted until it has been vaccinated as required in this article, or until proof of such vaccination is furnished.

(c)

Impoundment fees.

A pound fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code shall be charged for each animal impounded. All money collected shall be deposited into the city’s general fund and court costs shall also be assessed when appropriate.

(1998 Code, sec. 2.202)

§ 2.02.003 Disposition of unclaimed animals.

Seventy-two (72) hours after notice has been given, any unclaimed or unredeemed animal shall become the property of the city, which may:

(1)

Transfer ownership to another person or agency provided they pay for the animal’s food and care while in the animal shelter and meet applicable vaccination requirements.

(2)

Humanely destroy the unclaimed or unredeemed animal.

(3)

The animal control officer may humanely destroy an animal if the animal is unweaned, so sick or injured that its recovery is unlikely, or if death appears imminent. In such cases, destruction may be done immediately without notice or waiting period.

(1998 Code, sec. 2.203)

§ 2.02.004 Impoundment, sale and disposition of strays and wild animals.

(a)

Any stray animal or fowl found to be in violation of any provision of this article may be impounded by any authorized officer of the city. Such officer is hereby authorized to enter upon any unfenced lot, tract or parcel of land for the purpose of seizing and impounding any such animal or fowl.

(b)

If any animal may not be captured with reasonable safety for the person attempting the capture, the animal may be slain by the animal control officer or his designee, with due regard for human life and property.

(c)

The animal control officer or his designee may sell at public auction any impounded stray or wild animal five (5) days after advertising the sale in the local newspaper and posting a notice with a general description of the animal at the city office.

(d)

Any impounded animal which is not reclaimed or is found to be infected with rabies, seriously injured or determined by the animal control officer to be unsalable may be humanely put to death.

(e)

Anyone who finds a stray animal on his property shall have the right to confine the animal temporarily pending its release to the animal control officer or to its owner.

(1998 Code, sec. 2.204)