§ 10-43. Impoundment.

(a)

Unrestrained or nuisance animals shall be taken into custody by the animal control authority or police and impounded, and if quarantined under this chapter shall be individually confined.

(b)

The animal control authority may seize and impound any animal running at large, or any animal that has bitten any person or another animal, or any animal reasonably suspected of having a disease transmittable to human beings. All such animals may be taken into custody without necessity of a filed complaint.

(c)

The administrator shall keep accurate and detailed records of the licensing, impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into city custody.

(d)

Disposition of impounded animals will be as follows:

(1)

Licensed animals.

a.

Unless released to the owner, impounded licensed animals shall be kept for no less than five days from date of impoundment. If by the license tag, the owner can be determined, the animal control authority shall attempt to notify the owner by telephone number in the license application, or by first class U.S. mail, indicating date of impoundment and scheduled date of ultimate disposal. The owner must claim the impounded animal and pay all costs and fees by noon of the disposal date.

b.

The owner of any impounded animal may reclaim such animal prior to the expiration of a five-day impoundment period only by:

1.

Having the animal vaccinated in accordance with this chapter;

2.

Presenting to the animal control authority reasonable evidence of compliance with all provisions of this chapter; and

3.

Paying all fees and costs, which shall be in addition to any fine or penalty otherwise provided by this chapter or other law.

c.

If not properly claimed by noon on the fifth day of impoundment, the animal shall be made available for adoption or humanely euthanized in a manner to prevent undue or prolonged suffering.

(2)

Unlicensed animals.

a.

The owner of any impounded unlicensed animal may reclaim such animal prior to the expiration of a five-day impoundment period only by:

1.

Having such animal vaccinated and licensed in accordance with this chapter;

2.

Presenting to the animal control authority reasonable evidence of compliance with all provisions of this chapter; and

3.

Paying all fees and costs, which shall be in lieu of any fine or penalty otherwise provided by this chapter or other law.

b.

If not properly claimed by noon on the fifth day of impoundment, the animal shall be made available for adoption or humanely euthanized in a manner to prevent undue or prolonged suffering.

(e)

Fees for impoundment of animals are as follows:

(1)

Licensed and vaccinated dogs and cats: $5.00 per day, plus $15.00 capture and transportation costs.

(2)

Unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs and cats: $5.00 per day, plus $25.00 capture and transportation costs; $10.00 per day for any additional offenses that occur and the animal is still unlicensed or unvaccinated.

(3)

Rabbits, poultry and birds: $2.00 per day, plus $15.00 capture and transportation costs.

(4)

Other animals: $5.00 per day, plus $25.00 capture and transportation costs.

(5)

Animals impounded for rabies quarantine, or for use as evidence in a judicial proceeding, $10.00 per day, plus $15.00 capture and transportation costs.

(f)

The owner of an animal impounded in the animal shelter shall be liable for such fees and charges, notwithstanding the destruction or adoption of the animal.

(g)

Any animal not properly reclaimed by its owner shall become the property of the city after the impoundment period, and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or humanely euthanized. Any adoptive owner residing within the corporate limits of the city shall comply with licensing procedures, and shall pay boarding costs unless waived by the administrator.

(h)

The animal control authority may refuse to release any animal reasonably impounded for rabies or contagious disease quarantine, or for use as evidence in a criminal prosecution.

(i)

The animal control authority shall not release to the owner, and shall humanely destroy, any impounded animal upon the written opinion of a licensed veterinarian that destruction of the animal is necessary to prevent disease or injury to other animals or to humans, or due to overcrowding in the animal shelter, or due to the presence or reasonable suspicion of contagious disease, or due to reasonable suspicion of any other public health and safety threat.

(j)

The animal control authority may humanely destroy any impounded animal upon reasonable evidence that the animal has sustained an injury or disease which will likely result in maiming and prolonged and severe suffering or death.

(k)

The animal control authority may convey ownership, or permit adoption, of any unclaimed animal which is eligible for destruction, subject to the following:

(1)

Unless waived by the administrator, the adopter shall pay a $10.00 adoption fee and any vaccination, licensing or veterinary costs; and

(2)

The animal shall be vaccinated as required by this chapter, and shall be spayed or neutered;

(3)

The adopting owner shall be an adult capable of caring for the animal.

(Code 1978, § 6.04.08; Ord. No. 14-20, § IV, 10-21-2014)