It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to take up, impound, and safely keep any of the animals mentioned in this title and found running at large, staked, tied, or being herded or pastured in any street, lane, alley, court, square, park, or other place belonging to or under the control of the city, or upon any private property, contrary to the provisions of this title or to the right of the public.
(Prior code § 5550; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)
Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit a private citizen from surrendering or delivering any animal to animal control for impound. Such private citizens shall not be deemed an animal control officer.
(Ord. 1308 § 2, 1988)
The animal control officer shall immediately upon impoundment of dogs or other animals make reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs or animals impounded, and inform such owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such animals. If the dog has a valid license, the owner shall be notified, either personally or by deposit of appropriate notice in the mails addressed to the record address with postage prepaid.
(Prior code § 5551; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)
All animals impounded at the city animal shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water. Unless animals have been claimed within seven days after being impounded, and after the notification provided for in Section 10.20.020, they may be sold by the animal control officer to the person offering to pay a cash amount set by the animal control officer unless, in the sole discretion of the animal control officer any such animal shall be deemed unsuitable for adoption; provided that the adopter shall not be given possession of any dog until the adopter shall have paid to the animal control officer the license fee for such dog and until the adopter shall have made appropriate arrangements for any necessary rabies vaccination. If any dog or other animal impounded by the animal control officer shall not have been claimed within said period and cannot be sold within a reasonable time thereafter, it may be destroyed by the animal control officer in a humane manner. In lieu of destruction, animals, except those deemed unsuitable for adoption, may be released without charge to any humane organization that provides for an animal adoption service. The animal control officer shall maintain a file describing each animal impounded in the city animal shelter, beginning on the day any such animal is taken or delivered into the possession of the animal shelter.
(Prior code § 5552; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971; Ord. 1291 § 9, 1987; Ord. 2101, 9/12/2024)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer, and he is authorized to forthwith destroy any animal lawfully impounded which is by reason of disease or other cause dangerous or inhumane to keep impounded.
(Prior code § 5553; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)
The owner of any licensed impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim the same at any time prior to the lawful disposition thereof, upon payment to the animal control officer of the costs and charges provided in this title for the impounding and keeping of such animals. Any person claiming ownership of any unlicensed impounded animal shall be required to present proof of ownership satisfactory to the animal control officer, and thereafter the animal may be released to said claimant upon his making payment of all applicable costs, fees and charges prescribed in this chapter, and upon his making appropriate arrangements for any necessary rabies vaccination.
(Prior code § 5554; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)
Except in cases when disposition of an animal is made pursuant to Section 10.20.030, the animal control officer shall charge, receive and collect fees for impoundment, care and feeding of impounded animals. The nature and amounts of such fees shall be as fixed from time to time by resolution of the city council.
(Prior code § 5560; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)