It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to seize and impound, subject to the provisions of this division, all domesticated animals found in violation of the provisions of this article within the city, whether such animal shall be in the immediate presence of its owner or custodian or otherwise.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-92)
The senior animal control officer, under the direction of the city manager, shall provide a suitable place for the impounding of all domesticated animals picked up under the provisions of this article, and such pound shall be under his control.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-93; Ordinance adopting Code)
The animal control officer is hereby authorized to enter upon any unfenced lot, tract or parcel of land for the purpose of seizing and impounding any animal found thereon in violation of this article.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-94)
The animal control officer, upon impounding or receiving any animal under the provisions of this division, shall make a complete registry of such animal, entering the breed, color and sex of the animal and whether the animal has been vaccinated, and the time and place of taking such animal into custody.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-95)
The owner of any animal which has been impounded under the provisions of this division shall have the right to redeem the same upon the payment of any and all fees which may be due and payable for the impoundment of such animal; provided, however, the payment of such impoundment fees shall not bar the imposition of any fine which may be imposed for the violation of this article.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-96)
(a) 
All impounded animals shall be redeemed within five days after the same was impounded. When calculating the five days for redemption, hours occurring on days when the animal shelter is not open for business will not be counted as part of the redemption period, as long as space is available to hold the impounded animals. If all animal shelter cages become full, the supervisor of animal control will agree on which untagged animals will be euthanized, so that space can be made for additional animals.
(b) 
At the direction of the senior animal control officer or designee, an animal or fowl not timely redeemed by the owner shall either be placed for adoption with a registered or licensed rescue or adoption group to find a suitable home, kept for city purposes, or be humanely destroyed, or be disposed of for medical purposes.
(Ordinance 22-3729, sec. 12, adopted 5/19/22)
Editor's note–Former section pertaining to fees and deriving from Ordinance 10-3539, sec. II (5-98) adopted 1/11/2011, was deleted in its entirety by Ordinance 23-3746 adopted 5/23/2023.
(a) 
Any animal impounded under this article may be reclaimed by the owner in person upon the payment of required impoundment fees set forth in this chapter, and based upon impoundment records maintained by the animal control department. The animal control department shall return the animal if the owner can provide sufficient proof of being the animal’s owner and if such release will not impair the public safety or the animal. The owner has the responsibility to personally visit the shelter before the expiration of the designated holding period to reclaim their animal; and
(b) 
Any domestic animal over the age of three (3) months which does not have a current rabies vaccination shall not be redeemed, transferred, or adopted until the animal has been so vaccinated. The owner of any impounded domesticated animal which has not been vaccinated as required by this article, upon satisfactory proof of ownership, may redeem his animal by making a deposit in the specified amount as determined by the city council and be allowed twenty-four (24) hours to get such animal vaccinated. If such owner fails to procure a vaccination certificate within twenty-four (24) hours, the deposit shall be forfeited and the animal shall be impounded again. Upon presentation within such period of time of a certificate of vaccination issued under this article, the deposit shall be refunded.
(Ordinance 10-3539, sec. II (5-99), adopted 1/11/11)
After first consulting with a licensed veterinarian, an animal control officer may destroy any animal by a humane method if the animal is injured that its cure is considered by the animal control officer to be impracticable, or if death is imminent; and, in any of such event, such destruction may be done immediately without notice or any waiting period.
(Ordinance 22-3729, sec. 13, adopted 5/19/22)
All moneys received and collected under the provisions of this division shall be deposited in the general fund of the city.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-103)
The animal control officer shall file such reports of his activities under the provisions of this division, under oath, as are required by the mayor and council.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-104)
The city manager is authorized to allow unpaid volunteers to assist city employees at any city animal control facility or animal shelter. Before allowing anyone to volunteer at any city animal control facility or animal shelter, the city manager or his designee must develop and implement rules, procedures or regulations necessary to protect the city, the city employees, the volunteers and the animals as well as limiting any legal liability to the city. Any person who volunteers must follow and adhere to any rules, procedures or regulations established by the city manager. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to require the city manager to authorize volunteers to assist city employees at any city animal control facility or animal shelter.
(Ordinance 22-3729, sec. 14, adopted 5/19/22)