Chapter 6.32
IMPOUNDMENT

Sections:

6.32.010  Authorized.

6.32.020  Notice – Required.

6.32.030  Notice – Form.

6.32.040  Notice – Service.

6.32.050  Notice – Completion of service.

6.32.060  Notice – Unlicensed, tattooed animal.

6.32.070  Duration – Licensed dog.

6.32.080  Duration – Unlicensed dog.

6.32.090  Duration – Livestock.

6.32.100  Duration – Other animals.

6.32.110  Voluntary surrender.

6.32.120  Disposition of injured animals.

6.32.130  Owner redemption.

6.32.140  Disposal authorized.

6.32.150  Sale of animal.

6.32.160  Diseased or injured animal.

6.32.010 Authorized.

Any animal which the animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe is engaged in activities, or existing in a condition prohibited by this title, shall be impounded. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.020 Notice – Required.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no animal impounded shall be disposed of until and after notice is given by the animal control officer to the owner of the impounded animal, if he is known. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.030 Notice – Form.

The notice to the owner shall be in writing and shall contain a description of the animal impounded and the date and place of impoundment and the license tag number if available. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.040 Notice – Service.

Notice to the owner may be served by delivering a copy to the owner of the animal personally, or by sending a copy by mail to the address provided on the application for license, or if the animal is unlicensed then the owner’s place of residence or last known address. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.050 Notice – Completion of service.

Service of notice by mail is deemed complete on the day after such mailing. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.060 Notice – Unlicensed, tattooed animal.

If an impounded animal bears an identification tattoo but has no license tag and the owner is unknown, the notice provided in this chapter shall be given to the Stanislaus County Humane Society. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.070 Duration – Licensed dog.

All impounded dogs found wearing a current license tag or bearing an identification tattoo shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control center for a period of not less than seven days after notification. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.080 Duration – Unlicensed dog.

All impounded dogs found not wearing a current license tag shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control center for a period of not less than four days. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.090 Duration – Livestock.

Any impounded animal which is a kind referred to in Section 17003 of the Agriculture Code (bovine animal, horse, mule or burro) shall be kept in the animal control center for at least five days, unless it is redeemed within that period. If the animal is a bovine animal and is not redeemed, it shall be turned over to the State Bureau of Livestock Identification for disposition by that office. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.100 Duration – Other animals.

Any other impounded animal shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control center for at least four days. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.110 Voluntary surrender.

Any animal which is voluntarily surrendered to or deposited with the animal control center or the animal control officer by the owner shall immediately thereafter become the property of the county for the purposes of HMC 6.32.140 and 6.32.150. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.120 Disposition of injured animals.

A veterinarian who receives an injured animal under the provisions of Section 597(f) of the Penal Code shall promptly notify the animal control officer of his disposition of such animal, and if the animal is given care and treatment, the waiting period before destruction of the animal shall be the same as the duration of impoundment provided by this chapter. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.130 Owner redemption.

The owner or person entitled to custody or control of any impounded animal may, at any time before the sale or disposition of the animal, redeem such animal upon complying with the conditions and paying the fees established by resolution of the board of supervisors of Stanislaus County. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.140 Disposal authorized.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an impounded animal which is not redeemed within the specified holding period shall be considered to be abandoned by its owner and shall become the property of the county. Such animal may be sold, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of as authorized by resolution of the board of supervisors. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.150 Sale of animal.

If an animal is sold, the purchaser shall acquire ownership and all rights to the animal as evidenced by the bill of sale signed by the animal control officer. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)

6.32.160 Diseased or injured animal.

Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter, an impounded animal, which is determined by the health officer or a veterinarian to constitute a health or safety hazard, shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of without delay by the animal control officer or the veterinarian. An impounded animal which is determined by a veterinarian to be suffering extreme pain due to disease or injury and there is no reasonable probability that the animal will recover from its disease or injury, may be destroyed without delay by the animal control officer or the veterinarian. (Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)