§ 6-46. Impoundment.

(a)

Except as provided in this section, any animal impounded under the provisions of this article shall be transported to the animal shelter, or if the animal is in immediate danger, to a veterinary facility. The animal shall be held at the animal shelter for a waiting period of not less than three days, including the day the animal is received, but exclusive of legal holidays, unless the animal is wearing identification, rabies or license tags, in which event the waiting period shall be not less than five days, including the day the animal is received, but exclusive of legal holidays. During the prescribed waiting period the owner of the animal, if known, shall be notified and allowed to redeem the animal upon payment of any applicable fees. Any expenses incurred for veterinary care and treatment shall be the responsibility of the owner. No animal shall be destroyed until the expiration of the prescribed waiting period except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b)

If, in the attempt to seize an animal, it becomes impossible to do so safely by proper handling procedures, the animal control division after being convinced that seizure of the animal is necessary to public welfare by reason of its viciousness or infection with rabies may tranquilize the animal or dispose of the animal by shooting it.

(c)

If any animal so impounded is found to be sick, injured or of a vicious nature, the animal may be immediately destroyed in a humane manner; provided, however, that if the owner is known, he shall be notified, and shall have the right to obtain the advice and services of a veterinarian, and in all such cases where the owner of the animal is known, the animal shall not be destroyed without the consent of the owner. Where there has been a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and the owner has not promptly responded, then the animal shall be humanely destroyed.

(d)

As soon as possible after any animal is impounded, a permanent record shall be made which includes a description of the animal and the date, time and place that the animal was picked up. If such animal is not redeemed, the date and time of adoption or euthanasia shall also be included as part of the permanent record.

(e)

Whenever the animal control division finds that any animal is or will be without proper care because of injury, illness, incarceration or other involuntary absence of the person responsible for the care of such animal, the animal control officer may impound such animal until reclaimed by its owner. Any animal which has been impounded and not reclaimed for ten days after the circumstances causing the impoundment have ceased to exist may be disposed of pursuant to animal shelter policy.

(Ord. No. O-96-5-101, § 1(20), (21), 6-24-96; Ord. No. O-15-4-101 , § 6, 5-26-15)