Chapter 6.12
IMPOUNDMENT
Sections:
6.12.010 Impoundment procedure.
6.12.020 Redemption or disposition.
6.12.021 Tattooing and microchipping.
6.12.010 Impoundment procedure.
A. Animals found running at large within the borough shall be taken up and impounded for not less than 72 hours, and if not claimed by the owner, shall be held for adoption or shall be euthanized in a humane manner as determined by the animal control officer and the local veterinary medical association. An animal wearing a collar with identification or having an ear tattoo, microchip or other means of identifying its owner shall be held for a period of not fewer than 120 hours, and a reasonable effort will be made to notify the owner that the animal has been impounded. Sundays and holidays shall not be counted towards the minimum time a stray animal will be held. After the requisite minimum time, as set forth above, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and become property of the borough.
B. In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found at large, the animal control officer or police officer may return the animal to the owner and may issue to the known owner of such animal a citation which complies with Rule 8 of the District Court Criminal Rules. A summons and complaint in the form of a citation under this section shall contain a notice directing the person to whom it is issued to appear to answer to the charge in the district court for the fourth judicial district of the state of Alaska at Fairbanks. The officer who issues this citation shall deposit the original and a copy to of the citation with the borough attorney who will process it and forward unpaid citations to the district court for the fourth judicial district of the state of Alaska at Fairbanks. Thereafter, the summons and complaint may be disposed of only by official action. A summons and complaint in the form of a citation that fulfills the requirements for a complaint under the District Court Rules of Criminal Procedure promulgated by the Supreme Court of the State of Alaska shall be deemed a lawful complaint for the purpose of prosecuting a violation of this title. Upon conviction of this title, the owner shall be punished as provided in FNSBC 6.28.010.
C. If any animal is impounded from private property which contains a residence, the animal control officer shall immediately notify the occupant of the removal. Notice of removal shall be considered given when:
1. A notice of removal document is given to the occupant of the property at the time of removal; or
2. A notice of removal document is placed in a conspicuous location on the premises, when personal contact with the occupant of the property is not possible at the time of removal.
The method of delivery of the notice of removal shall be noted on the document.
This subsection does not apply if the animal control officer has reasonable belief that the animal does not belong to an occupant at the residence.
D. The animal control officer may accept animals from their owners for humane disposal or for adoption. Animals placed for adoption shall be held at the discretion of the animal control officer. No animal delivered by its owner for disposal shall be released for adoption.
E. An animal that has been involved in an animal bite incident shall be handled pursuant to Chapter 6.14 FNSBC.
1. No person shall fail, intentionally or with criminal negligence, to surrender such an animal for impound upon the demand of the animal control officer.
2. Failure to surrender an animal pursuant to this subsection is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2008-23 § 2, 2008; Ord. 2002-03 § 4, 2002; Ord. 2000-50 § 5, 2000; Ord. 98-052 § 3, 1998; Ord. 95-003 § 3, 1995; Ord. 88-058 § 5, 1988; Ord. 88-025 § 2, 1988; Ord. 85-158 § 2, 1986; Ord. 82-104 § 3, 1983; Ord. 80-65 § 3, 1980; Ord. 78-15, 1978)
6.12.020 Redemption or disposition.
A. The owner shall be entitled to resume possession of any impounded animal, except as may be provided in Chapter 6.14 FNSBC, upon the owner’s compliance with the rabies provisions of this chapter.
B. When, in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian, or the animal control officer and one subordinate, an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons, whose owner cannot be identified or located, such animal will be destroyed notwithstanding the time period in FNSBC 6.12.010(A).
C. No animal may be redeemed or adopted from impoundment that is in an unhealthy condition, unless such animal is placed under the care of a licensed veterinarian. No animal under eight weeks of age shall be placed for adoption.
D. When care and keep of an animal is made less than adequate because of the arrest of the owner, impaired health of the owner, apparent abandonment, or any other emergency situation, such animal shall be held for the owner in protective custody for a period of 10 days. The animal control officer will attempt to contact the owner to make arrangements for extended care, adoption or euthanasia in a humane manner. (Ord. 98-052 § 4, 1998; Ord. 88-058 § 6, 1988; Ord. 88-031 § 2, 1988; Ord. 86-093 § 3, 1986; Ord. 85-153 § 2, 1985; Ord. 82-104 §§ 4, 7, 1983; Ord. 80-65 § 4, 1981; Ord. 78-15, 1978)
6.12.021 Tattooing and microchipping.
All dogs and cats released from the animal shelter, whether by virtue of redemption, adoption or otherwise, shall receive a tattoo in the right ear with a borough identification number or an injected microchip, at the discretion of the owner or adoptive owner. The animal control shelter shall keep a record of all such tattoo or injected microchip numbers with a reference to the animal and current owner.
The owner shall have a reasonable opportunity to be present during placement of the tattoo on or injection of the microchip in the impounded animal.
Any resident of the borough may have dogs or cats owned by him or her tattooed or microchipped by the animal control officer, and such tattooed or microchipped identification number shall be recorded. A fee, if any, for this service shall be established in accordance with FNSBC 3.50.010. (Ord. 2002-03 § 5, 2002; Ord. 2000-50 § 6, 2000; Ord. 82-104 § 10, 1983)