The following animals may be impounded:
(1)
Cats
and dogs not exhibiting evidence of being vaccinated or registered;
(2)
Any
animal infected with rabies or kept under conditions that could endanger
the public or animal health;
(3)
Any
animal found running at large, as that term is defined herein;
(4)
Any
animal treated in a manner determined by an animal control officer
to be cruel and inhumane;
(5)
Any
animal that has bitten a human being or needs to be placed under observation
for rabies determination, as determined by an animal control officer;
(6)
Any
animal that presents a violation of any provisions of this chapter.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.75)
If any of the animals named in this chapter are 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 he
can notify an animal control officer to retrieve the animal for impoundment.
When so notified, it shall be the duty of the animal control officer
to impound such animal as herein provided.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.76)
Reasonable effort shall be made by the local health authority
to contact the owner of any animal impounded that is wearing a current
registration tag; however, final responsibility for location of an
impounded animal is that of the owner.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.77)
(a)
The
owner can resume possession of any impounded animal upon payment of
impoundment fees, handling fees, and any veterinarian bills incurred
by the local health authority for the welfare of the animal, and upon
compliance with vaccination and registration provisions of this code,
except where herein prohibited.
(b)
Disposition
of animals impounded on the grounds of cruel or inhumane treatment
shall be determined by any court having jurisdiction over such matter.
(c)
If
any animal is being held in quarantine or observation for rabies,
the owner shall not be entitled to possession until it has been released
from quarantine.
(d)
The
town council shall select and establish a place for impounding animals
under any provisions of this chapter.
(e)
Any
animal not reclaimed by the owner may be humanely euthanized after
being impounded for 72 hours, except that any animal wearing a current
registration certificate tag shall be impounded for not less than
180 hours.
(f)
Any
impounded vicious or wild animal, unless there is reason to believe
it has an owner, may be immediately disposed of as may be deemed appropriate
by the supervisor of animal control.
(g)
Any
nursing baby animal impounded without its mother, or where the mother
cannot or refuses to provide nutritious milk, may be immediately euthanized
to prevent further suffering.
(h)
Any
impounded dog or cat not wearing a registration certificate tag may
be given up for adoption after 72 hours of impoundment, except those
under quarantine. Any impounded dog or cat wearing a current registration
tag may be given up for adoption after 180 hours of impoundment.
(i)
An
owner who no longer wishes responsibility for an animal, or believes
the animal to be in an ill or injured condition, may sign a written
waiver supplied by animal control allowing the animal to be immediately
given up for adoption or euthanized in a humane manner, providing
that no warm-blooded animal that has bitten a human being shall be
euthanized before expiration of the ten-day quarantine period.
(j)
Any
impounded animal that appears to be suffering from extreme injury
or illness may be euthanized or given to a nonprofit humane organization
for the purpose of veterinary care, as determined by the local health
authority.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.78)
Impoundment fees for all animals, including daily handling fees,
quarantine fees, and adoption fees, shall be those fees as determined
by the county.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.79; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Every owner of an animal impounded by an animal control officer
or voluntarily impounded by the owner shall be liable for all costs
and fees incurred by such impoundment.
(1998 Code, sec. 91.80)
