Lakewood Municipal Code Part 6 Impounding

[Added by Ord. 485; suspended by Ord. 92-10]

Any person finding any stray domestic animal which is running at large contrary to the provisions of this Chapter may take up such animal and surrender the same to the Director or his duly authorized representative. Any person so taking up any stray domestic animal or any such animal running at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall surrender such animal to the Director or his duly authorized representative upon demand.

[Amended by Ord. 92-10]

Every person except the Director, taking up any stray animal or any such animal which is running at large contrary to the provisions of this Chapter, shall within twenty-four hours thereafter given notice to the Director or to the Sheriff of:

A. The fact that said person has such animal in his or her 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 or she shall so state.

D. The place where such animal is confined.

Such notice may also be given to any member of the Sheriff’s Department, which shall constitute compliance with this Section.

[Amended by Ord. 72-4]

The Director shall deliver to any animal shelter operated by the Department any and all animals impounded by the Department in accordance with this Chapter. The procedures governing the impounding of all animals, impounding, shelter, storage, collection, and penalty fees, and the disposition of all impounded animals shall be that prescribed in Los Angeles County Ordinance 4729 effective November 19, 1971, Section 801-832 thereof, and the Director is authorized and directed to comply with all terms and provisions thereof.

When any dog wearing a current valid license tag issued by the City of Lakewood is impounded pursuant to this Chapter, the Director shall within twelve working hours after receiving such dog, notify either by telephone or by letter, with postage fully prepaid thereon, the person to whom the current license for such dog was issued, of the whereabouts of such dog. If the Director fails to comply with this Section, he shall charge no fee of any kind for any board or care of such dog prior to the time when the owner or person to whom the current license tag for such dog was issued, or other person in charge of such dog, receives actual notice of the whereabouts of such dog.

Dogs wearing a current valid license tag, issued by the City of Lakewood, impounded pursuant to this Chapter, shall not be destroyed or otherwise disposed of, unless:

A. The person to whom the current license for such dog was issued shall direct, or

B. Five full days have elapsed since such person was notified of his dog's whereabouts by telephone, or

C. Six full days have elapsed since a letter, postage fully prepaid, addressed to such person at his last known address and informing such person of the whereabouts of his dog, has been deposited in the United States mail.