In addition to any other remedies provided in this chapter,
an animal control officer or a police officer may seize, impound,
and humanely confine to an animal shelter or hospital any of the following
animals:
(1)
Any
dog or cat without a valid license tag;
(2)
Any
animal at large;
(3)
Any
animal constituting a public nuisance or considered a danger to the
public;
(4)
Any
animal that is in violation of any quarantine or confinement order
of the city’s chief health officer;
(5)
Any
unattended animal that is ill, injured, or otherwise in need of care;
(6)
Any
animal that is reasonably believed to have been abused or neglected;
(7)
Any
animal that is reasonably suspected of having rabies;
(8)
Any
animal that is charged with being potentially dangerous, or dangerous
where an animal control officer determines that there is a threat
to public health and safety;
(9)
Any
animal that a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered impounded
or destroyed;
(10)
Any animal that is considered unattended or abandoned, as in situations
where the owner is deceased, has been arrested or has been evicted
from his regular place of residence;
(11)
Any exotic or wild animal that is kept illegally; or
(12)
Any animal that is in violation of this chapter or whose owner is
in violation of this chapter.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found at
large, an animal control officer or a police officer may issue to
the known owner of such animal a summons or citation for a violation
of this chapter.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
Except as provided in articles 4.05 and 4.10, the city shall keep licensed dogs and cats impounded for not fewer than five (5) business days and unlicensed impounded animals for a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours, before becoming the property and responsibility of the county animal shelter.
(Ordinance O-18-03-15-11A adopted 3/15/18)
(a)
Any
animal impounded at the county regional animal shelter shall become
the temporary property of the shelter in order to allow for treatment
and/or vaccination of that animal.
(b)
Any animal impounded in the animal shelter for a period exceeding the times laid out in this chapter shall become the property of the county regional animal shelter and shall be placed for adoption or humanely euthanized. The adoption fee for all animals is as adopted by the governing board for the regional animal shelter, as amended, and as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. Any livestock or fowl kept over 72 hours may be sold or auctioned to cover the costs of impoundment and boarding.
(Ordinance O-18-03-15-11A adopted 3/15/18)
When an animal is not wearing a tag of any kind so that the
rightful owner cannot be notified of their animal’s injuries,
obviously sick or injured animals may be humanely euthanized.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay all impounding fees, vaccination fees, and boarding fees for animals before they shall be returned to the owner. The fee applies per animal as adopted by the governing board for the regional animal shelter, as amended, and as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. Actual medical costs, if any, incurred shall be paid by the owner.
(Ordinance O-18-03-15-11A adopted 3/15/18)
An animal control officer or peace officer may apply for and
obtain a warrant or other legal writ from the municipal judge or justice
court to seize any animal alleged to be in violation of this chapter.
The municipal judge or justice of the peace shall have the authority
to issue such warrant.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
(a)
Procedure.
Animal control is authorized to take possession
of any animal released by its owner upon proof that the owner resides
within the city, completion of an owner release form and payment of
the owner release fee.
(b)
Reclaiming previously released animal.
Upon acceptance of an animal under this section, the animal immediately becomes the property of the city. If an owner desires to reclaim a previously released animal and the animal is still in possession of animal control or the county regional animal shelter and is not in the process of being adopted, the impoundment fees, boarding fees, owner release fees and medical costs incurred as adopted by the county commissioner’s court for the regional animal shelter, as amended, and as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code [shall be paid by the owner].
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
Any person finding an animal at large upon his property may
remove the same to any animal shelter that will take possession of
the animal. If no such shelter is available, the property owner may
hold the animal in his/her own possession and, as soon as possible,
notify the city police department. The property owner should provide
a description of the animal and the name of the owner if known. An
animal control officer or a police officer will be dispatched to take
possession of the animal as soon as practicable.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
