[Code 1974 §§ 3-23(a), 3-24(a); Code 1985 § 5-76; Code 2005 § 14-121; amended at adoption]
A. 
It shall be the duty of the police officers of the city and any person specifically appointed by the city manager as animal control officer, to take into custody and impound all dogs or cats found in the city which are:
(1) 
Not provided with or wearing the tag for the current year as provided for in this chapter; or
(2) 
Running at large within the city.
(3) 
Reasonably suspected of biting a person for no less than a sufficient observation period.
(4) 
Subject to a menacing dog citation until the citation court date or when the animal control officer has been granted reasonable assurance that the dog will be kept in a secure enclosure, whichever is first.
[Code 1974 § 3-24(b); Code 1985 § 5-77; Code 2005 § 14-122]
Police officers or the animal control officer may enter upon the premises of the owner or other private premises to take into custody any animal running at large in violation of the provisions of this chapter. If with reasonable effort a dog or cat illegally at large cannot be caught, they may kill it, whether it is on or off private premises.
[Code 1974 § 3-25(c); Code 1985 § 5-78; Code 2005 § 14-123]
Rabid animals or animals which any officer of the city, including the duly appointed animal control officer, may have reasonable grounds for believing to be rabid, or any animals which were in such physical condition because of injuries, wounds or sickness as to indicate that such injuries or sickness would result in imminent death, may be humanely disposed of without the necessity of impounding or attempting to impound such animal and without giving the notice provided in this division prior to disposition; however, if such destroyed animals wear current registration tags issued by the city, the chief of police, upon receiving notice of the disposition of any such animal, shall advise the registered owner as reflected by registration records in the office of the city clerk.
[Code 1974 § 3-25(a), (b); Code 1985 § 5-79; Code 2005 § 14-124]
A. 
The chief of police shall maintain as soon after the impoundment of any dog or cat as may be reasonably possible, a complete description of each animal held in custody at the animal shelter, together with information concerning the time and place of capture or impoundment and the time limit within which such animal may be redeemed by the owner.
B. 
If the dog or cat which has been impounded shall have been registered as required in this chapter, and is wearing a tag for the current registration year, the owner of any such animal or the keeper or harborer thereof, as shown by the records in the office of the city clerk, shall be notified of the impounding of such animal, furthermore the owner, keeper or harborer of such animal shall be notified by the person charged with the duty of destroying such animal of the intent to destroy such animal at least 24 hours before such animal is destroyed. The notice may be given personally by telephone or by letter, and for such purpose, the depositing of a letter containing such notice in the post office in the city addressed to the owner, keeper or harborer thereof, at his last address as shown by the registration, records in the office of the city clerk, shall be deemed sufficient notice.
[Code 1974 §§ 3-23(d), 3-24(c); Code 1985 § 5-80; Code 2005 § 14-125]
All impounded dogs or cats taken into custody shall be placed in an animal shelter operated by the city or its licensee, and after 72 hours from the time of such taking up, if no person has appeared to claim such animal and paid the costs as provided in connection with the taking up and impounding of such animal, the city or its licensee may destroy such animal in some humane manner, or find a new home for such animal.
[Code 1974 § 3-26; Code 1985 § 5-81; Code 2005 § 14-126]
A. 
Any person who desires to redeem a dog or cat which has been impounded shall pay to the city clerk the amount of the unpaid tax, if the tax is owing and unpaid, or produce a receipt from the city clerk showing that the tax on such animal has been paid for the current year.
B. 
In addition to the payment of the tax, such person shall pay to the city or its licensee a reasonable fee for the care and maintenance of any animal that has been impounded, such fee to be based upon the length of time the animal has been impounded plus any veterinarian care as provided in § 4-36 and all such impoundment fees shall be calculated on each 24-hour period of impoundment or fraction thereof.
C. 
Each unspayed female or unneutered male dog or cat to be released to a new home or new owner at the expiration of the prescribed impoundment period shall be spayed or neutered, at the expense of the new owner, prior to release of the animal.
[Code 1974 § 3-27; Code 1985 § 5-82; Code 2005 § 14-127]
The fees for impounding and keeping any dog or cat shall be as established by resolution. Any person redeeming an impounded dog or cat shall pay such fees to the city clerk plus any veterinarian care and present the receipt thereof to the person in charge of the animal shelter before the latter releases the dog or cat.