Alameda County Municipal Code Ch. 5.36 Impoundment

It shall be the duty of the director to take up, impound, and safely keep any of the animals enumerated in this chapter and found running at large, staked, tied, or being herded or pastured in any street, lane, alley, court, square, park, or other place belonging to or under the control of said county.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.0)

Every person taking up any stray animal or such animal which is running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall within eight hours thereafter give notice to the director of:

A. The fact that he has such animal in his possession;

B. The complete description of such animal;

C. The license number of such animal, if any, and by what county or municipal corporation issued. If such animal has no license, such person shall so state;

D. The place where such animal is confined.

Every such person and any person in whose custody such animal may, in the meantime, be placed may deliver such animal to the shelter without fee or charge; and the director shall thereupon hold and dispose of such animal in the same manner as though such animal had been found at large and impounded by him.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.1)

The director shall immediately upon impoundment of dogs or other animals make every reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs or other animals impounded, and inform such owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such animals. If the dog has a valid license, the owner shall be notified. Such notice shall be either personal or by deposit in the mails properly addressed and postage prepaid.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.2)

All animals impounded at the shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the director. Unless such unlicensed animals shall have been redeemed within five days after being impounded, or licensed animals seven days after notification provided for in Section 5.36.030, they may be sold by the director to the person offering to pay a cash amount set by the director, but not less than ten dollars ($10.00) therefor, provided that the purchaser shall not be given possession of any dog or dogs until he shall have paid to the licensing authority the license fee or fees prescribed for such dog or dogs. If any dog or other animal impounded by the director shall not have been redeemed within said period and cannot be sold within a reasonable time thereafter, it may be destroyed by the director in a humane manner. In lieu of destruction, the director may release without charge animals to any humane organization that provides an animal adoption service.

The director shall maintain a file at the shelter describing each animal impounded therein, for at least the prescribed period beginning on the day any such animal is taken or delivered into the possession of the shelter.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.3)

The owner of any licensed impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim the same at any time prior to the lawful disposition thereof upon payment to the director of the costs and charges by resolution provided for the impounding and keeping of said animals.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.4)

It shall be the duty of the director, and he is hereby authorized to forthwith destroy any animal lawfully impounded which is by reason of age, disease, or other cause unfit for adoption, or is dangerous to keep impounded.

(Prior gen. code § 3-50.6)