Chapter 6.28 IMPOUNDMENT

Chapter 6.28
IMPOUNDMENT

Sections:

6.28.020 Animals found by private citizens.

6.28.040 Return of animals to the owners.

6.28.050 Holding period, disposition and altering.

6.28.010 Capture of animals at large.

The ACO or police officer shall attempt to capture and impound any animal found at large in violation of this chapter and may destroy an animal at large if, in their judgment, such action is required for public health and safety.

The ACO or police officer shall not seize or impound any dog for being at large that has strayed from but returned to the private property of its owner or the person who has the right to control the dog. In such cases, a citation may be issued. If the owner or person who has a right to control the dog is not home, the dog may be impounded. The ACO or police officer shall post a notice of such impounding on the front door of the living unit of the owner or person who has the right to control the dog. Such notice shall state the following: that the dog has been impounded, where the dog is being held, the name, address and telephone number of the agency or person to be contacted regarding the release of the dog, and an indication of the ultimate disposition of the dog if no action to regain it is taken within a specified period of time by its owner or by the person who has a right to control the dog. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.28.010)

6.28.020 Animals found by private citizens.

Any person who finds an animal at large may take it into his or her possession and must as soon as possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours thereafter notify the animal control officer and surrender the animal to the animal control officer on demand. The finder of the animal at large shall use reasonable care to protect the animal from injury; however, he or she shall not be held liable if the animal dies, escapes, or injures itself while he or she is carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Any person who relinquishes an animal to the ACO, police officer, or animal shelter, shall give his or her name, address and if he or she is not the owner, the location where the animal was found. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.28.020)

6.28.030 Notification to owner.

Upon impoundment of an animal wearing a license tag or identification listing the owner’s name and address, the ACO or shelter shall immediately mail to the owner of record at the address indicated a notice of the location of the animal. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.28.030)

6.28.040 Return of animals to the owners.

The owner of an impounded animal may claim it prior to its legal disposition by providing proper identification, meeting all rabies and licensing requirements of this chapter, and paying all applicable redemption fees. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.28.040)

6.28.050 Holding period, disposition and altering.

A. The animal shelter shall hold impounded animals for not less than three working days if not wearing a license tag when impounded, and for not less than five working days if wearing a license tag or other identification. If the animal shelter has reason to believe that an owner exists or that the owner or custodian may claim the animal prior to other disposition, the animal may be held for seven working days.

B. The animal shelter may humanely dispose of or transfer to a new owner upon payment of the applicable fee, any impounded animal not claimed by its owner or custodian within the prescribed holding time. Animals relinquished by their owners may be destroyed or transferred to a new owner without regard to any prescribed holding time. Injured or diseased animals may be humanely destroyed without regard to the prescribed holding time in order to alleviate suffering or to protect other impounded animals from exposure to a contagious disease. A certificate of any licensed veterinarian shall be conclusive evidence of the extent of injury or contagious disease.

C. If no person appears and claims livestock impounded under this section within five working days, the animal shelter shall proceed to sell or cause to be sold such livestock, except bovine, at public sale.

D. If no person appears and claims any bovine animal impounded under this section within five working days, the animal shelter shall so notify the local brand inspector to attempt to determine the owner. If the owner cannot be determined, the animal shelter shall proceed to sell or cause to be sold the animal at public auction.

E. Any dog not claimed by its owner and which has not been altered shall not be sold or given away unless a deposit for altering such dog has been deposited with the animal shelter to be refunded upon presentation of proof of altering by licensed veterinarian.

F. Any cat not claimed by its owner and which has not been altered shall not be sold or given away unless a deposit for altering such cat has been deposited with the animal shelter to be refunded upon presentation of proof of altering by a licensed veterinarian.

G. Individuals adopting any cat or dog under the terms of subsections E and F of this section shall have the altering performed within sixty (60) days from the date of adoption unless the animal is under six months of age at the time of adoption. In such case, the individual shall have the altering performed within six months of adoption. Failure to complete the surgery within the above-specified period or than transfer of ownership of a cat or dog over six months of age prior to altering shall result in forfeiture of the deposit.

H. The deposit required by subsections E and F of this section shall be forfeited to the animal shelter if proof of altering has not been presented to the animal shelter within the period specified in subsection G of this section. Such forfeited deposits shall be placed in a trust fund to be utilized by the animal shelter to defray the cost of materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses incidental to the conducting of public education programs to promote responsible pet ownership and the altering of pets to prevent pet overpopulation. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.28.050)