§ 5-15. Impoundment.
(a)
Any animal found to be in noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be impounded by the city. In lieu of impoundment, the known owners of such animals may be issued a citation by the city that shall require the owner to appear in municipal court within ten (10) days to answer a charge of a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
Reasonable efforts shall be made by the city to promptly notify by telephone or personal contact the owner of any animal impounded.
(c)
Animals impounded by the city shall be redeemed by the owner upon correction of the reason for such impoundment and the payment of all fees and penalties within three (3) days of impoundment or upon order of the municipal court unless such animals are being held in quarantine or observation for a bite incident, have been or are under suspicion of having been exposed to rabies, or are being held on a complaint filed against the owner for violation of this chapter in the municipal court of the city. Animals eligible for redemption by the owner and not redeemed within three (3) days of impoundment become the property of the city. Such animals may be euthanatized or the ownership of such animals may be transferred to any competent person provided the animals have no history of exposure to zoonotic diseases, are in apparent good health, have no history of biting or attacking a person or other domestic animal, are currently vaccinated against rabies if such animals are dogs or cats four (4) months of age or older, and the person applying for ownership pays all required fees.
(d)
Any animal impounded and suffering from serious injuries, in apparent great pain or having a disease which would endanger the public health may be euthanized after reasonable efforts to locate the owner have failed and there is no apparent reason for allowing the continued suffering of the animal.
(Ord. No. 87-105, § 5-6, 8-11-87)
State law reference
Restraint of dogs and cats, impoundment, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 4477-6a, § 3.08.