[Ord. No. 1032 Art. V §16, 10-21-1991; Ord. No. 2005, 7-6-2021]
The intent of this Division is to require animal owners to comply
with the law, not merely to operate an impoundment program. Humane
officers shall, therefore, place primary emphasis upon apprehending
and initiating prosecution of violators of this Division.
[Ord. No. 1032 Art. V §17, 10-21-1991; Ord. No. 1073 §4, 3-1-1993; Ord.
No. 2005, 7-6-2021]
A.
Dogs
or cats, or any other animal not licensed pursuant to this Article
or found not under restraint or abandoned or without proper license
and rabies tags may be picked up and impounded by any humane officer.
impoundment may be in any animal shelter designated by the Board of
Aldermen. Such shelter shall be built and equipped to care for the
animals in a humane manner.
B.
If the dog or cat, ferret or potbellied pig wears a license tag or if the owner can, by any other reasonable means, be identified and located, the owner shall be notified as soon as possible that the dog or cat ferret or potbellied pig has been impounded. Owners must reclaim impounded dogs or cats, ferrets or potbellied pigs within the time specified by Subsection (C) or sign a written release relinquishing ownership of such dog or cat, ferret or potbellied pig Failure to reclaim or sign a release constitutes animal neglect under Section 205.400 of this Chapter.
C.
Impounded
animals shall be kept for not less than one (1) week except when:
1.
Given to be disposed of by an owner, in which case the animal shall
be held until the next calendar day before making a disposition;
2.
An animal arrives at the shelter in so sick or injured a condition
that in the judgment of the Supervisor of Animal Control or a licensed
veterinarian human compassion requires that the suffering be promptly
ended, in such instance the time period shall not apply and the animal
will be humanely euthanized to prevent needless suffering.
D.
If
an impounded dog or cat or other animal is not redeemed by the owner
within one (1) week after impoundment, the animal may be disposed
of in one (1) of the following ways:
[Ord. No. 1032 Art. V §18, 10-21-1991; Ord. No. 1073 §5, 3-1-1993; Ord.
No. 1544 §1, 11-20-2006; Ord. No. 2005, 7-6-2021]
A.
Any
owner redeeming a dog or cat or other animal from impoundment at the
animal shelter shall pay to the Supervisor of Animal Control or a
designated agent, before release, a boarding charge for each twenty-four
(24) hours or fraction thereof that the animal has been impounded,
plus an impoundment fee. Additional fees shall be assessed against
the owner for any expenses incurred either in the impoundment or the
care of the animal, but not limited to vaccination(s) treatment and
quarantine.
1.
Boarding fees for dogs, cats and animals impounded: $10.00 per day
or fraction there of or the actual cost to the City.
2.
Boarding fees for bite animals or dogs declared dangerous impounded:
$15.00 a day or fraction there of or the actual cost to the City.
3.
Boarding fees for any animal other than a dog, cat, ferret, potbellied
pig, or allowable small animal: the actual cost to the City including
staff time, materials, etc.
B.
The
owner, keeper, harborer or maintainer may appear within one (1) week
after the impoundment of the animal. The animal may be reclaimed within
such period after payment of any impoundment fee and board fee set
forth in this Section then owing, but a complaint shall be issued
and the owner, harborer, keeper or maintainer shall appear in Municipal
Court in response to the complaint and any penalty imposed by the
court shall be satisfied.
C.
The
following impound fees are hereby established for the impoundment
of a dog or cat, ferret or potbellied pig or other animal impounded
by the City:
1.
First (1st) impoundment: $35.00/altered; $50.00/unaltered.
2.
Second (2nd) impoundment: $50.00.
3.
Third (3rd) and sequential impoundments: $100.00.
4.
Impoundment fee for potbellied pig: $100.00 plus any other incurred
costs.
5.
Impoundment fee for any animal other than a dog, cat, ferret, potbellied
pig, or allowable small animal: $100.00 plus any other incurred costs.
D.
If said animal is not redeemed or claimed, the person owning, keeping or maintaining such animal shall still be liable for payment of all fees incurred for impounding, vaccination, treatment and quarantine. The City shall notify such person, by certified United States Mail, of the amounts due and owing. If, after notice is given, such fees are not paid within five (5) days from the date of mailing, then such person shall be in violation of this Section and, upon conviction of same, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 100.220.
[Ord. No. 1032 Art. V §19, 10-21-1991; Ord. No. 2005, 7-6-2021]
It shall be unlawful for any person to adopt a dog or cat or animal for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of Section 205.380. It shall be unlawful to engage in any fraudulent scheme, device or trick to obtain any animal from the animal shelter. It shall be unlawful for any person to aid or assist any such tricks, devices or schemes.
