Any animal which is, to the knowledge of the Animal Control Director or any Animal Control Officer, engaged in an activity or existing in a condition prohibited by this title or any other activity or condition otherwise prohibited by State law or regulation, shall be taken and impounded at the Amador County animal shelter or at such other place as may be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)
A. 
All impounded dogs found wearing a current license tag shall be kept in the animal shelter for a period of not less than three days unless redeemed within such period.
B. 
All impounded dogs not wearing a current dog license tag shall be kept in the animal shelter for a period of not less than five days unless redeemed within such period.
C. 
Any impounded animal which is of a type referred to in Section 17003 of the State Food and Agricultural Code shall be kept in the animal shelter for at least three days unless it is redeemed within that period. If the animal is a bovine animal and is not redeemed, it shall be turned over to the State Bureau of Livestock Identification for disposition by that office.
D. 
Any other impounded animal, with the exception of feral cats, shall be kept in the animal shelter for at least three days unless redeemed within that period.
E. 
Any animal which is voluntarily surrendered to or deposited with the animal shelter or authorized personnel thereof, by the owner, shall not be deemed to be impounded and need not be kept or retained for any minimum period of time.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)
Except as provided in Section 7.16.035, below, the owner of any animal impounded may, at any time before the disposition thereof, redeem the same by paying all proper fees and charges accrued as provided for by this title; provided, however, that if the animal is one which is subject to a license in this title, the licensing requirements must be satisfied before the animal's release, except that an impounded dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies, or exempted therefrom by an exemption as provided in this title may be released to an owner who has paid all fees required in this title, including the license fee, on condition that such owner shall:
A. 
Have the dog vaccinated against rabies within 10 days; and
B. 
Present to the Animal Control Director or officer a valid certificate of vaccination within 10 days, at which time the license will be issued;
C. 
Upon the third impound of the same intact (unneutered) dog, the owner must either: (1) have the dog spayed or neutered prior to release from the animal shelter; or (2) pay a fee of $150, in addition to all other fees provided for elsewhere in this title.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.16.030, above, if an animal has been impounded because of a violation of Section 7.08.040 of this title or any other provision of State law or regulation relating to cruelty to or improper treatment of animals, such impounded animal shall not be released for redemption unless and until, in addition to the requirements set forth in Section 7.16.030, the owner of such animal demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Animal Control Director that the conditions which led to the impoundment of the animal have been remedied.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this title, an impounded animal which is not redeemed within the applicable holding period specified in this chapter may, in the discretion of the Animal Control Director, be adopted or destroyed; provided, however, that no live animal shall be adopted or destroyed or otherwise disposed of until not less than 72 hours after notice of the impoundment has been given to the owner, if the owner is known; and provided further, no live animal may be sold or otherwise disposed of for the purpose of experimentation or medical research.
B. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title to the contrary, an impounded animal which is determined by the Animal Control Director or the Director's designee to constitute a public health hazard may be destroyed, quarantined, or otherwise disposed of as ordered by the Animal Control Director upon the concurrence of the County Health Officer.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)
Animal control personnel shall charge and collect all fees established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997)