(a)
Any
animal running at large or violating any provision of this chapter
in the city limits may be impounded by any police officer.
(b)
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 until he or she can notify the chief
of police or his/her designee to request impoundment of such animal;
provided the same is done in a reasonable time. When so notified,
such officers may cause such animal to be impounded as herein provided.
(c)
The
city administrator shall select and establish a place for impounding
all animals impounded under any provision of this chapter.
(1965 Code, sec. 4-11; 1989 Code,
sec. 4-46; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code)
The fees charged for the impoundment of animals, fowl or reptiles under the provisions of this article are as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(1965 Code, sec. 4-12; 1989 Code,
sec. 4-47; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code)
(a)
The
owner of any animal impounded under this article may redeem the animal
as follows:
(1)
Before sale: By paying the pound fees, together with the cost of
advertising, if any.
(2)
After sale: By paying to the purchaser double the amount bid by him
or her for such animal or animals, and his or her reasonable expenses
for keeping the same, provided the owner so redeems the animal within
thirty (30) days after the date of sale; otherwise, the animal shall
become the absolute property of the purchaser.
(b)
All
impounded dogs shall be redeemed within seventy-two (72) hours after
their capture and impoundment, or they shall become subject to sale
or destruction under the terms of this article.
(1965 Code, sec. 4-13; 1989 Code,
sec. 4-48)
The chief of police or his/her designee may sell impounded animals
at public auction for cash, after giving three (3) days’ public
notice of the time, terms and place of sale, describing the animal
impounded and stating that the same will be sold to defray costs if
not reclaimed and the costs paid before the day of sale. “Public
notice,” for the purpose of this section, shall mean posting
the notice at the police station and giving a copy of the notice to
each newspaper published in the city. If not reclaimed by such day,
he or she shall, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on
such day, sell such animal at public auction to the highest bidder,
and after deducting all the expenses of sale and taking up and keeping
such animal shall return the balance of the proceeds, if any, to the
owner of the animal. If no owner shall call for the animal within
thirty (30) days from such day of sale, such balance shall be paid
into the city treasury. At any time within six (6) months after such
sale, the owner may apply to the city council and, upon satisfactory
proof of his or her ownership, he or she shall be entitled to receive
the amount paid into the city treasury on account of such sale. All
moneys not so claimed shall escheat to the city.
(1965 Code, sec. 4-14; 1989 Code,
sec. 4-49; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code)
Any animal impounded under this article may be destroyed by
the police after it has been impounded for a period of three (3) days.
(1965 Code, sec. 4-15; 1989 Code,
sec. 4-50)
