[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
Any dog found running at large shall be taken up by the Animal Control
Officer or a Deputy Animal Control Officer and impounded in the dog pound
for a period of ten (10) days.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
Any dog over six (6) months old found within the limits of the town without evidence that such dog has been vaccinated or inoculated in accordance with the provisions of § 103-28 shall be impounded by the Animal Control Officer or Deputy Animal Control Officer for a period not exceeding ten (10) days.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
Any animal creating or constituting a nuisance under the provisions of § 103-8 may be impounded by the Animal Control Officer or Deputy Animal Control Officer.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
Any animal described in § 103-12 which is found at large in the town may be impounded by the Animal Control Officer or Deputy Animal Control Officer.
Any animal, other than a dog, found running at large within the town
limits may be impounded or disposed of according to law when such action is
required to protect the animal or to protect the residents of the town.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
For impounded dogs, or other animals, whose owner or keeper of such
animals shall not, in twenty-four (24) hours from such impounding, seek the
release of such animal, the Animal Control Officer or Deputy Animal Control
Officer shall make every possible, reasonable effort to notify the owners
of such animal, so impounded, and inform such owners of the conditions whereby
they may regain such animals, and, if the owner or keeper is unknown or not
ascertained or available for notice, said Animal Control Officer shall advertise
the impounding of such animal in at least three (3) issues of a newspaper
with a circulation covering the town stating therein a brief description of
the age, breed and color of such animal as nearly as practical.
Any animal impounded under this Article shall be confined at the pound
in a humane manner.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145; 6-12-1989
by Ch. 171; 6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 177]
Any animal impounded hereunder may be reclaimed as herein provided upon
the payment of a fee to be set by resolution by the Town Council for each
and every impoundment of such animal. In addition, a fee set by resolution
by the Town Council for each day such animal is kept shall be paid. Impoundment
fees set forth hereby shall be collected for the town.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Current fees are available and on file in the
office of the Town Clerk.
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the owner shall
be entitled to regain possession of any impounded dog, except as hereinafter
provided in the cases of certain dogs, upon the payment of impoundment fees
set forth hereby. Proof of ownership might include a license receipt, affidavits
of neighbors, a photograph or other evidence satisfactory to the Animal Control
Officer or Deputy Animal Control Officer. If the dog should be an unlicensed
dog, the owner shall obtain a license before regaining possession and shall
also pay a fine as established by a resolution of the Town Council.[1]
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145; 6-11-1990
by Ord. No. 177]
[1]
Editor's Note: Current fees and fines are available and on file
in the office of the Town Clerk.
B.
Any dog or other animal may, the first time it is impounded
for being a public nuisance, be reclaimed as provided herein but may not be
reclaimed when so impounded on second or subsequent occasion, unless such
reclamation is authorized by the Animal Control Officer. If such reclamation
is not authorized, said animal may be disposed of in a humane manner at the
discretion of the Animal Control Officer.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
C.
Any animal described in § 103-12 of this chapter which is impounded may not be reclaimed by its owner without the express consent of the Animal Control Officer.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
D.
In the event that a female dog or other animal in accordance with § 103-13 hereof has been impounded, such dog or other animal shall remain impounded until her period of heat shall end, unless the owner shall reclaim said animal and provide satisfactory assurance to the Animal Control Officer that said animal will be confined for the remainder of her period in heat.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
E.
In addition to any other requirements of this section,
a dog impounded under this Article may not be redeemed or released until it
has been vaccinated as required herein.
G.
When, in the judgment of a veterinarian, an animal should
be destroyed for humane reasons, such animal may not be reclaimed.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
Any dog or other animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter
and not reclaimed by its owner within ten (10) days may be humanely destroyed
by the Animal Control Officer or placed in the custody of some person deemed
to be a responsible and suitable owner who will agree to comply with the provisions
of this chapter and such other regulations as shall be fixed by the town.
[Amended 1-13-1986 by Ch. 145]
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to keep, or cause
to be kept, accurate and detailed records of the impoundment and disposition
of all animals coming into his custody.
[Amended 6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 177]
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, any person convicted
of violating any provision of this chapter may be punished by the payment
of a fine as set by Town Council resolution from time to time, to be recovered
for the use of the town, and, if such violation continues, each day's
violation may constitute a separate offense.
B.
In lieu of a court appearance, a fine, as set by Town
Council resolution, may be paid at the Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County
Trail.
