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 unlicensed animals have been claimed within five days after being impounded, or licensed dogs seven days 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 purchaser shall not be given possession of any dog until he shall have paid to the animal control officer the license fee for such dog and until he 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)
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)
The owner of any impounded animal may, at any time, within thirty days after sale by the animal control officer, redeem such animal from the purchaser by paying him the sum of money computed by adding the following amounts: the purchase price paid to the animal control officer, any license fee paid and rabies vaccination costs incurred, and in addition thereto a sum equal to rates established pursuant to Section 10.20.080 for daily care and feeding per day for the number of days from the date of sale to and including the date of redemption by the owner.
(Prior code § 5555; Ord. 910 § 2, 1971)
In each case where the owner of an impounded animal redeems the same from the purchaser, irrespective of whether payment was made as prescribed in Section 10.20.060, such owner shall be liable for payment to the animal control officer of all fees prescribed pursuant to Section 10.20.080 for impounding and for daily care and feeding of the animal incurred during the impoundment, deducting therefrom the sale price paid to the animal control officer by the purchaser. The amount of the owner's liability under this section shall be deemed a debt to the city, and an action may be commenced in the name of the city in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any such debt.
(Prior code § 5556; 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)
