Dogs found or reasonably believed to be kept in violation of this chapter may be impounded by the Sheriff's Office or the Yakima Humane Society; provided, that if a complaint identifying the dog owner of a dog at large, a barking dog or an unlicensed dog is received and the dog owner can be immediately located, the dog shall be left with the dog owner, and a summons and notice to appear in regard to the violation may be issued to such dog owner.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, delay or impede any officer or enforcing official in the enforcement of this chapter as herein provided. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
The Sheriff's Office, Yakima Humane Society or their designee shall, within twenty-four hours after impounding any dog, or the next business day, attempt to contact the animal owner by phone, leaving a written notice at home or by mail to the registered owner of the dog, a notice of the impoundment of such dog and the terms upon which such dog can be released, and the consequence of failure to obtain the release of any dog within any applicable time limits.
(2) 
If the owner of any impounded dog is unknown, then the Sheriff's Office, Yakima Humane Society or its designee shall within twenty-four hours of impoundment or by the end of the next business day post at the animal shelter a notice of impoundment describing the dog.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
A dog wearing a dog tag, tattoo or microchip may be recovered within five business days of impoundment. Dogs not wearing a dog tag, tattoo or microchip may be recovered within three business days of impoundment. Injured or sick dogs shall be exempt from these recovery periods.
(2) 
Dogs may be recovered only by a person who offers satisfactory proof of ownership or authorization to obtain custody of the dog and who pays the charges for recovering impounded dogs as established by the department.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 8-2000 § 9, 2000; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
A dog which has not been recovered within the applicable time frame after impoundment as set forth in Section 8.36.310 may be sold or destroyed.
(2) 
A dog voluntarily given to the Humane Society by the dog owner for the purpose of disposal may be sold or destroyed forthwith without awaiting expiration of a recovery period.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
Where dogs are impounded in an animal shelter maintained by a private organization under contract with the county, the impoundment charge, additional charges and applicable fines shall be remitted to the county for deposit in the dog control fund.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 8-2000 § 10, 2000; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)