§ 5-101. Authorized; duration; records required.

(a)

Any dog/cat/animal which appears to be lost, stray or unwanted, or not wearing a currently valid rabies vaccination tag, as required by state law and these rules, or not under restraint in violation of these rules, may be seized, impounded, and confined in a humane manner in an animal shelter.

(b)

The duration of the impoundment of these dogs/cats/animals may be established by the animal services director or his/her designee, but the duration of the impoundment shall not be less than seventy-two (72) hours. During the impoundment period, an animal control officer shall make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or keeper of the dog/cat/animal. If the dog/cat/animal is not reclaimed by its owner or keeper during the impoundment period, the animal shall be disposed of in the following manner:

(1)

Returned to the owner or keeper;

(2)

Adopted as a pet by a new owner;

(3)

Or euthanized by a procedure approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States or the American Humane Association.

(c)

The animal shelter shall maintain a record of all dogs/cats/animals impounded under this section; which shall include the date of impoundment, the length of impoundment, the method of disposal of the dog/cat/animal and the name of the person or institution to whom any dog/cat/animal has been released.

(d)

Impoundment of such dogs/cats/animals shall not relieve the owner or keeper thereof from any penalty: which may be imposed for violations of these rules.

(Ord. of 6-7-95, § VI; Ord. of 11-6-00, § VI; Amend. of 10-3-16; Amend. of 2-19-18; Amend. of 8-6-18)