Chapter 6.16
IMPOUNDMENT
Sections:
6.16.010 Dog – Without license – Citation.
6.16.020 Interference prohibited.
6.16.030 Dangerous animal – Destruction authorized when.
6.16.040 Bite – Quarantine requirements.
6.16.080 Unclaimed dogs – Disposition.
6.16.090 Unclaimed animals – Release.
6.16.100 Vicious animal – Destruction.
6.16.110 Veterinary hospital costs.
6.16.010 Dog – Without license – Citation.
Any dog or dogs found without a license or in violation in any manner of the provisions of this title shall, at the discretion of the animal control officer or police officer, be:
A. Impounded and placed in the city animal shelter, or, if deemed necessary, in a private animal shelter, and such officer upon taking this action shall make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and sex of such dog and any available license information. If the dog is licensed, an entry shall be made showing the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag; or
B. If the owner is known or may be determined, the animal control officer or police officer may issue to the owner or persons responsible a citation and notice to appear before the municipal court. Such citation shall not be issued for any offense or violation unless the offense or violation is committed in the presence of the animal control officer or police officer. (Ord. 263 § 15, 1978)
6.16.020 Interference prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, delay or impede the animal control officer in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. It is unlawful for any person to falsely represent to the animal control officer or his authorized agent, nonownership of any impounded dogs. It is unlawful for any person to falsify any information such as address or information concerning the animal. (Ord. 263 § 20, 1978)
6.16.030 Dangerous animal – Destruction authorized when.
Whenever it appears to a person attempting to impound a dog under the provisions of this chapter that such a dog is dangerous to the public if capture cannot be effected safely and promptly, such person is authorized to destroy the dog. (Ord. 263 § 21, 1978)
6.16.040 Bite – Quarantine requirements.
Any animal that bites a person shall be quarantined for 10 days if ordered by the animal control officer. At the discretion of the animal control officer, the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner. If the animal control officer requires other confinement, the owner shall, at his own expense, surrender the animal for the quarantine period to the animal shelter or shall place the animal in a veterinary hospital. Any animal that bites a person without provocation shall be securely confined thereafter in a fenced enclosure from which the animal cannot escape and which is not accessible to the public, except that the animal may be taken off the owner’s premises if securely controlled according to the provisions of this title. The animal control officer shall maintain a record of every animal that bites a person without provocation. (Ord. 263 § 22, 1978)
6.16.050 Notice to owner.
Not later than 24 hours after the impounding of any dog, the owner, if known, shall be notified, either in person or in writing by certified mail, addressed to the owner at his last known address, of said impoundment, describing the animal and the place and time of taking and the place and time the animal may be redeemed. If the owner or custodian is unknown, written notice shall be posted for not less than five calendar days at two conspicuous places in the city one of which shall be the City Hall and one at the animal shelter. (Ord. 263 § 23, 1978)
6.16.060 Redemption.
A. The owner or lawful custodian of any dog impounded under the provisions of this chapter may reclaim such dog within three days after receiving personal notice or within five days after the mailing of notice of date of posting notices in two public places; provided, such dog shall be released to the owner or custodian only upon payment of the dog license fee if unpaid and all costs and charges incurred by the city for impounding and maintenance of such animal and maintaining its own facility. The following charges will be paid to the clerk-treasurer for impounding of any dog:
1. First impound, $250.00;
2. Second impound in any 12-month period, $500.00;
3. Third impound in any 12-month period, $1,000.
B. For feed and care, such an amount as is necessary to meet the actual expenses of such feed and shelter. (Ord. 03-619 § 1, 2003; Ord. 263 § 24, 1978)
6.16.070 Adoption – Fee.
Any person desiring to adopt an animal from the animal shelter shall pay an adoption fee of $15.00 and shall in addition, purchase an appropriate license if required by this title. Upon proof in the form of a letter, memo or bill from a doctor of veterinary medicine that such animal has been neutered, the person adopting the animal may apply on appropriate form provided by the city for a refund of $10.00 of the adoption fee. (Ord. 263 § 25, 1978)
6.16.080 Unclaimed dogs – Disposition.
It shall be the duty of the city to keep all dogs impounded, if unclaimed, for a period of 124 hours. If at the expiration of the period from the date of notice to the owner or the first date of posting of notice, such animal has not been reclaimed, it may be placed in a suitable new home or humanely euthanized by the city or by the agency chosen by it. Except in the case of vicious animals, animals not having been reclaimed after the expiration period may be released to persons upon obtaining a license as provided for in this title and payment of the fees and charges incurred by the city for impoundment and maintenance for such animal. (Ord. 263 § 26, 1978)
6.16.090 Unclaimed animals – Release.
In the event any dog is released to any person other than the owner or lawful custodian pursuant to and in accordance with AMC 6.16.080, such person to whom such a dog is so released shall be deemed a purchaser of such dog from the city. Such purchaser shall receive from the clerk-treasurer a certificate of purchase, and such certificate shall be sufficient evidence of the vesting of complete title to such animal in the purchaser and termination of interest and rights of the former owner in and to such animal. (Ord. 263 § 27, 1978)
6.16.100 Vicious animal – Destruction.
Any vicious animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter and remaining unclaimed after notice has been given, or any animal which has bitten any person and after examination by a veterinarian found to have rabies or other disease rendering such animal dangerous to persons may be destroyed by the chief of police. Any dog which without provocation bites, attacks or attempts to bite one or more persons two or more times within a five-year period is declared to be a nuisance and shall not be kept within the city. (Ord. 263 § 28, 1978)
6.16.110 Veterinary hospital costs.
All costs of maintaining any animal at a veterinary hospital shall be paid by the owner. (Ord. 263 § 29, 1978)