[Ord. No. 1006 §1, 8-8-2011]
Licensed Law Enforcement Officers of the City of New Haven are hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of the Municipal Code of the City of New Haven: Title II, Chapter 205: Animal Regulations. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen may from time to time appoint an Animal Control Officer to perform such duties as may be directed, and such officer shall work in cooperation with the licensed Law Enforcement Officers and other authorized officials as may hereinafter be appointed.
[Ord. No. 1006 §2, 8-8-2011]
The City may secure the facilities of a duly designated Humane
Society or other organization or person licensed to provide for the
impoundment and care of animals. All services secured under such agreement
shall be provided in accordance with all applicable law and City ordinance.
[Ord. No. 1006 §3, 8-8-2011; Ord.
No. 1098 §2, 12-8-2014]
A.
Any dog or cat found in the City of New Haven without a registration
tag or running at large as heretofore provided by ordinance is hereby
declared to be a public nuisance and may be impounded by a licensed
Law Enforcement Officer or other duly authorized official of the City.
B.
Any duly authorized Public Health Official, Law Enforcement Official,
or Animal Control Officer may impound any animal found outside of
the owned or rented property of the owner when such animal shows evidence
of abuse or neglect.
C.
Animal Impoundment, Procedure When Owner Is Known Or Can
Be Ascertained. If the owner of an impounded animal is known
or can be ascertained, and the animal is not diseased or disabled
beyond recovery for any useful purpose, the City or its duly authorized
agent shall hold the animal for recovery. The owner shall be notified
as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five (5) business
days from the date of impoundment, and shall be informed of the animal's
location and the procedures for owner recovery. The City shall be
responsible for said owner notification and shall provide a copy of
said notification to the City's agent, if applicable. An animal unclaimed
for ten (10) business days may be put up for adoption or humanely
euthanized.
D.
Procedure When Owner Is Not Known And Cannot Be Ascertained. If the owner of an impounded animal cannot be ascertained, the animal
shall be held for a minimum of five (5) business days, and the holding
period must include at least one (1) full Saturday. The public shall
have clear access to the impoundment facility to inspect or recover
the animal during time periods ordinarily accepted as usual business
hours. After the required holding period, the animal may be put up
for adoption or humanely euthanized.
E.
Public Access To Inspect Or Recover Animals. The
City shall make every reasonable effort to allow public access to
its impoundment facility for purposes of inspecting or recovering
animals.
F.
Procedure for Recovery. The owner or custodian of
an impounded animal may claim the animal for recovery, provided the
following provisions have been met:
1.
The owner shall provide acceptable identification to the City
and/or its contracted animal impoundment services provider, and shall
sign a statement acknowledging ownership and/or responsibility for
the animal being recovered.
2.
The owner shall sign a statement acknowledging that the animal
has been impounded under provisions of City ordinance, that the owner
shall be held liable for costs incurred for care of the animal during
impoundment, and that the owner may face other charges as provided
by City ordinance or New Haven Municipal Code.
3.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the City's
ability to recover any cost incurred by the City for care and disposition
of an impounded animal.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 205.280, Owner to be Liable
for Costs of Care of Animal, as adopted and amended by Ord. No. 1006
§4, 8-8-2011, was repealed 12-8-2014 by Ord. No. 1098 §1.
