Anderson Municipal Code Ch. 6.32 Impoundment and Disposal of Animals

The police chief or his designee shall pick up or accept and care for any animal to be held for observation by the county health officer.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

The police chief may take into custody and place any animal found in violation of this title, into the custody of the animal shelter.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

The police chief or his designee shall investigate and report all instances coming within his/her knowledge of inhumane treatment or cruelty to animals. He/she may place a seventy-two hour hold upon the animal that has received inhumane treatment and furnish shelter to said animal.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Any person finding any stray domestic animal or any such animal which is running at large contrary to the provisions of this title may take up such animal if he complies with the applicable provisions of this title and shall surrender such animal to the police chief or his designee upon demand. Failure to surrender such animal upon demand shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Every person, except the police chief or his designee, taking up any stray animal or any such animal which is running at large shall within twelve hours thereafter giving notice to the police chief or to the police department 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, he shall so state;

D. The place where such animal was found.

E. The address and phone number of the place where the animal may be found; Failure to give such notice in the manner required shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

A. Animals may be redeemed by the owner or his authorized agent upon payment of the impound fees and care and feeding charges, as set by resolution of the city council, and any veterinary cost.

B. The cost of impounding, feeding, and caring for rabbits, birds poultry, fowl or other animals not otherwise provided for in this title shall be collected.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Impounded animals not bearing identification of any type may be deemed unlicensed and if not claimed shall be held as prescribed by law and then may be adopted, placed or humanely destroyed as prescribed by law. If an unlicensed dog is seized and impounded from a private residence, ranch, farm, or business and the owner or possessor of the dog is not present at the time of seizure, the police chief or his designee shall post a notice of impoundment at the premises. The notice shall be dated and shall explain that an unlicensed dog has been seized from the premises and provide a brief description of the dog and the address and telephone number of the police department's animal regulations unit. The notice shall also explain that if the unlicensed dog is not redeemed within the time prescribed by law, it may be adopted, placed, or humanely destroyed as prescribed by law.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

If a licensed dog is seized and impounded, within twenty-four hours of impoundment, the police chief or his designee shall mail written notice of the impoundment to the owner at the address shown in the license record of the unit. The notice shall explain the time limits prescribed by law and procedures of redeeming the dog.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

The owner or person entitled to the custody of any animal taken up and impounded under the provision of this chapter may at any time before the adoption or disposal thereof, as provided in this chapter, redeem such animal by paying to the police chief or his designee the fees and charges prescribed by this chapter accruing up to the time of such redemption. No such redemption rights shall be available to the owner or custodian of a dog determined to be dangerous under the provision of Chapter 6.28 unless specifically granted therein.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Any unlicensed dog seized or impounded as provided by this title, shall be held for the period prescribed by law, unless it is redeemed sooner, then the police chief or his designee in charge of any animal shelter shall humanely destroy such dog as prescribed by law. The police chief or his designee may place such dog to any person who will pay the adoption fees, procure and pay for the required license of such dog and will meet other terms required for adoption as prescribed by law. The police chief or his designee may take the dog straight from impoundment to the local veterinarian for alteration surgery.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Dogs wearing a current license tag impounded pursuant to this title shall not be humanely destroyed as prescribed by law or otherwise disposed of unless:

A. The person to whom the current license for such dog was issued so directs by signing a release form;

B. A written notice, either by postcard or letter, postage fully prepaid, addressed to such person at his last-known address and informing such person of the whereabouts of his dog, have been deposited in the United States mail; or

C. The person is notified by telephone they have been advised of the number of days remaining on the prescribed holding period.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

Each person having charge of any animal shelter shall keep a record of each dog impounded by him/her, the date the impounding occurred, the date and manner of its disposal and, if redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, the name and address of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, and the amount of all fees received or collected for or because of impounding, reclaiming or adopting thereof, together with the number of any license tag and the date of the redemption or the adoption of any such dog.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

The police chief or his designee may employ a private veterinarian whenever he/she deems it necessary in order to properly care for and maintain any animal. When a veterinarian's fees have been paid or incurred for the care or treatment of any animal, such animal shall not thereafter be redeemed without payment by the owner of such fees, in addition to any and all other fees (to be established by resolution of the city council), so as to reimburse the city for its costs for the veterinarian service for such animal.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

The provisions of Chapter 6.28 shall take priority over the provisions contained in this chapter and, in the event of any inconsistencies, the former provisions shall apply.

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)