Note: Prior code history: Prior code §§ 4-5.27,
4-5.28, 4-5.29, 4-5.30, 4-5.31, 4-5.32, 4-5.33.
The chief of police, or designee, is authorized to take up,
impound, and safely keep any dog or other animal found at large.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005; Ord. 2239 § 2, 2022)
A.
Any
person taking up any stray animal or such animal which is at large
contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall within 24 hours thereafter
give notice to the chief of police of:
1.
The
fact that the person has such animal in the person's possession;
2.
The
complete description of such animal;
3.
The
license number of the tag for such animal, if any, and by what county
or municipal corporation issued. If such animal has no license, such
person shall so state;
4.
The
place where such animal is confined.
B.
Every
such person and any person in whose custody such animal may, in the
meantime, be placed may deliver such animal to the shelter without
fee or charge; and the shelter shall thereupon hold and dispose of
such animal in the same manner as though such animal had been found
at large and impounded by the chief of police.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005)
The chief of police shall immediately upon impoundment of dogs
or other animals make every reasonable effort to notify the owners
and inform them of the conditions whereby they may regain custody
of such animals. Such notice shall be a verbal notice in person or
by telephone, or a written notice served personally, posted on the
owner's property or deposited in the mail.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005)
The shelter shall provide all impounded animals with proper and sufficient food and water. Unless such unlicensed animals shall have been redeemed within five days after being impounded, or licensed animals 10 days after notification provided for in Section 7.24.030 of this chapter, the shelter may sell them to any person offering to pay a cash amount set by the shelter, provided that the purchaser shall not be given possession of any dog or dogs until the purchaser shall have paid to the licensing authority the license fee or fees prescribed for such dog or dogs. If any dog or other animal impounded by the shelter shall not have been redeemed within said period and cannot be sold within a reasonable time thereafter, it may be destroyed by the shelter in a humane manner. In lieu of destruction, the shelter may release without charge animals to any humane organization that provides an animal adoption service. The shelter shall maintain a file at the shelter describing each animal impounded therein, for at least the prescribed period beginning on the day any such animal is taken or delivered into the possession of the shelter. The owner must, within five days of redeeming a dog, show proof of a current, valid antirabies vaccination.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005)
The owner of any impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim
the same at any time during the business hours of the shelter prior
to the lawful disposition thereof upon payment to the shelter of the
costs and charges hereinafter provided in this chapter for the impounding
and keeping of said animals.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005)
It shall be the duty of the shelter, and the shelter is authorized,
to destroy any animal lawfully impounded which is by reason of age,
disease, or other cause unfit for adoption, or is dangerous to keep
impounded.
(Ord. 1919 § 5, 2005)
