Exeter Municipal Code Ch. 6.24 Impoundment

The poundmaster, any animal control officer, and any peace officer, shall impound dogs which are not wearing the license or tag required by Section 6.12.050 and which are found running at large within the incorporated area of the city. When such a dog is impounded, it shall be delivered to the poundmaster. All such dogs shall be impounded in the animal care center.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

The poundmaster, any animal control officer, and any peace officer, shall impound dogs which are wearing the required license tag and which are found running at large within the incorporated area of the city, if the officer is unable to locate or notify the owner prior to impoundment of the dog. When such a dog is impounded, it shall be delivered to the poundmaster. All such dogs shall be impounded in the animal care center.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

A. The poundmaster, any animal control officer, and any peace officer, shall have the power to summarily and immediately impound a dog or other animal determined to be dangerous or vicious as stated in Chapter 6.16. The poundmaster may enter and inspect private property to enforce the provisions of this section, provided such entry or inspection is conducted in a manner consistent with state and federal constitutional provisions. It is unlawful for any person to fail to surrender to the poundmaster, any animal control officer, or any peace officer, upon demand, a dog or other animal which is being impounded pursuant to this section.

B. Any dog or other animal impounded pursuant to this section may be permanently identified by the poundmaster by means of photo identification and license number prior to release from impound or confinement.

C. The animal control officer and the owner of the animal impounded pursuant to this section, in addition to complying with this chapter and Chapter 6.16 shall also observe the provisions of Chapter 6.20 (pertaining to quarantine of animals suspected of being rabid).

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog, cat, animal or household pet owned, harbored or controlled by them to violate any written quarantine notice. Any person who violates such written notice shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

Within two business days after an animal which is wearing a license tag is impounded under this chapter, the poundmaster shall mail a notice of the impounding to the owner at the address shown on the application for the license which is on file with the poundmaster, and advise the owner of the procedure whereby he or she may apply to regain custody of the animal. The owner of an animal declared vicious or dangerous pursuant to Section 6.16.030 shall be notified pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6.16.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

A. The owner of any animal impounded, other than pursuant to Section 6.24.030 and Chapter 6.16, may, except as otherwise provided by law, redeem the animal at any time prior to its transfer, adoption, or destruction, and must do so in compliance with subsection C. below.

B. The owner of any animal impounded pursuant to Section 6.24.030 may only redeem the animal in compliance with. However, all applicable impound fees shall be applied and must be resolved in order for the animal to be redeemed.

C. A person desiring to redeem an animal shall deliver to the poundmaster an application for redemption and a statement in a form prescribed by the poundmaster which shall contain a description of the animal to be redeemed, the name and address of the claimant, and the statement that he or she is the owner of the animal to be redeemed. If the poundmaster determines that the animal may be redeemed pursuant to subsection A. or (B) above, the poundmaster shall issue to such person a written statement containing the name and address of the claimant, a description of the animal redeemed, the date on which the animal was impounded, and the accrued impound-related fees in accordance with Section 6.24.070, and said statement shall serve as a certificate of redemption and receipt for the fees paid. License and microchip requirements shall also apply prior to redemption. Unlicensed animals must be licensed prior to redemption, and a microchip must be implanted (at owner expense) if the animal was not already microchipped from all animals redeemed from the animal care center.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

The owner of an animal which has been impounded shall pay to the poundmaster an impounding fee as set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

A. Unless an animal wearing a license tag has been redeemed within six (6) business days after being impounded or unless it is being held pending a hearing pursuant to Chapter 6.16, it may be made available for adoption by a member of the public by the poundmaster or killed by the poundmaster in a humane manner. No animal which has been declared a dangerous animal pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be made available for adoption pursuant to this section unless after an appeal the animal is determined not to be dangerous or vicious.

B. If the owner of an animal gives permission in writing to do so, the animal may be made available for adoption or destroyed at any time after it is delivered to the animal shelter, provided that no animal held pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be made available for adoption even with the permission of the owner.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

A. Unless an animal which is not wearing a license tag has been redeemed within four business days after being impounded or unless it is being held pending a hearing pursuant to Chapter 6.16, it may be made available for adoption to the public or killed in a humane manner. But no animal which has been declared a dangerous animal pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be made available for adoption pursuant to this section nor shall any dog, cat or other animal which has been impounded pursuant to Section 6.16 and subsequently found not dangerous but improperly trained, handled or maintained be made available for adoption except to a person who is willing to properly train, handle and maintain the dog, cat or other animal, as determined by the poundmaster.

B. If the owner of an animal gives permission in writing to do so, the animal may be made available for adoption or destroyed in accordance with subsection A. of this section at any time after it is delivered to the animal shelter, provided that no animal held pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be made available for adoption sold even with the permission of the owner.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

When a dog, cat or other animal is adopted by a member of the public pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the poundmaster shall deliver to the new owner of said dog, cat or other animal, a statement in writing containing a description of the animal, the date of adoption. All adoptions shall convey a good and valid title to the purchaser, and the previous owner of the animal shall thereafter be barred from all rights to recover said animal.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

It shall be the duty of the poundmaster to receive and impound from the public all dogs, and cats (unless subject to the program specified under Chapter 6.22), believed to be stray and/or abandoned by their owners, located within the city.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

Any dog or cat found at large on any private property in the city may be taken up by the owner or possessor of the property and delivered to the poundmaster.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

Every person taking up any dog or cat under the provisions of this title and every person finding any lost, stray or abandoned dog or cat shall within twenty-four hours thereafter, give notice thereof to the poundmaster and every such person in whose custody such dog or cat may, in the meantime be placed, may surrender such animal to the poundmaster without fee or charge.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)

The poundmaster shall provide all animals in its custody with proper food and water, and shall give them all necessary care and attention. The poundmaster shall consider a fee at the time an impounded animal is redeemed by its owner or person having custody, or may charge these fees at such time an unclaimed animal is rescued or adopted.

(Ord. No. 717, § 2, 1-13-2026)