§ 5-106. Immediate placement for adoption or destruction of owner surrendered dogs or cats.

(a)

Any dog or cat surrendered by its owner or keeper to an animal control officer may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely euthanized by a procedure approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States or of the American Humane Association when:

(1)

The owner or keeper directs in writing that the dog or cat be placed for adoption or humanely destroyed; and

(2)

The owner or keeper affirmatively represents in writing that he/she is in fact the legal owner or keeper of the dog or cat; and that the dog or cat has not bitten a person within the past ten (10) days or, in the case of exotic animals, a period to be determined by the state public health veterinarian; and

(3)

The owner or keeper agrees that he/she will indemnify and hold the county, harmless from any loss or damage it may sustain, including attorney's fees, by reason of destruction or placement for adoption of the dog or cat; and

(4)

The owner or keeper transfers ownership or custody of the dog or cat to the health department and releases the health department from any future claims with respect to the dog or cat.

(b)

Upon receiving said assurances, the animal services department may rely on the same and place the dog or cat for adoption, or euthanize the dog or cat by accepted standards. The waiting period provided in section 5-102 shall not apply to this section.

(Ord. of 6-7-95, § VI(5); Ord. of 11-6-00, § VI(5); Amend. of 10-3-16; Amend. of 2-19-18; Amend. of 8-6-18)