Lassen County Municipal Code Ch. 8.10 Impoundment

Animal control may impound all animals found to be kept in violation of the provisions of this title or found to be public nuisances. Owners of dogs or cats may voluntarily impound their animals and shall pay a fee for such impounding. Any impounded animal may be redeemed pursuant to the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no animal impounded shall be disposed of until and after notice is given by animal control to the owner of the impounded animal, if he/she is known.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) The notice to the owner shall be in writing and shall contain a description of the animal impounded, the date and place of impoundment, the date of intended disposal of the animal, and the license tag number, if available.

(b) Notice to the owner may be served by delivering a copy to the owner of the animal personally, or by sending a copy by mail to the address provided on the application for license, or if the animal is unlicensed, then to the owner's place of residence or last known address.

(c) Service of notice by mail is deemed complete on the day after such mailing.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

All impounded dogs found wearing a current license tag or bearing an identification tattoo shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control shelter for a period of not less than seven business days after notification, not including the day of impoundment. Thereafter, such dogs will be deemed to be abandoned, pursuant to Section 8.10.110.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

All impounded dogs found not wearing a current license tag, shall, unless sooner redeemed be kept in the animal control shelter not less than four business days, not including day at impoundment. Impounded stray dogs shall be held for owner redemption the first three days and available for adoption or owner redemption for the remainder of the holding period. The holding period may be extended to six business days depending on the criteria set forth in the California Food and Agriculture Code. If not redeemed or adopted within the four- or six-day period, as applicable, the dog shall be deemed to be abandoned pursuant to Section 8.10.110.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

All impounded cats shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control shelter for a period of not less than four business days, not including day of impoundment. Impounded stray cats shall be held for owner redemption for the first three days and available for adoption or owner redemption for the remainder of the holding period. Feral cats may be euthanized after the third holding day. The holding period and disposition of stray cats may be modified as set forth in Section 8.10.050.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Any impounded animal which is a kind referred to in Section 17003 of the California Food and Agriculture Code (bovine animal, horse, mule, or burro) shall be kept in the animal control center or designated facility for not less than five business days, unless it is redeemed within that period. If the animal is a bovine animal and is not redeemed, that office shall turn it over to the State Bureau of Livestock Inspection for disposition.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Any impounded animal belonging to a species other than those specified in Sections 8.10.040 through 8.10.070 shall, unless sooner redeemed, be kept in the animal control shelter or other designated facility for the same period of time, under the same requirements of care, as cats and dogs.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Any animal which is voluntarily surrendered to or deposited with the animal control shelter or an animal control officer by the owner shall immediately thereafter become the property of the county but shall remain available for owner redemption for the first day, not including the day of impoundment, and shall be available for owner redemption or adoption the second day. After the second required day the animal may be held longer, euthanized, or relinquished to a nonprofit, as defined in Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, animal rescue/adoption organization under the same conditions and circumstances provided for stray dogs/cats.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Unless an impounded animal is redeemed by the owner or possessor within the periods of time stated above, the animal shall be deemed abandoned by its owner and animal control may sell, destroy, give away, or otherwise dispose of the animal, pursuant to state law and this code.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

The owner or possessor of an impounded animal may redeem the animal within the period of time specified above by payment of a redemption fee. A license shall also be purchased prior to redemption of any unlicensed impounded dog. The owner or possessor shall, within ten days of redemption, provide proof of current rabies vaccination to animal control. Higher impoundment fees may be set for dogs impounded two or more times within a twelve-month period.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

The owner of an impounded animal is liable for all costs of impoundment, whether or not the owner redeems the animal.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Animal control shall collect any special transportation costs for impounded animals in addition to the impoundment fee.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) Any animal, which is voluntarily surrendered or abandoned by its owner, may be sold by the animal control unit to a new owner upon payment of appropriate fees and deposits as specified in this chapter.

(b) Persons desiring to purchase an animal from the animal shelter must pay the adoption fee, if applicable, and the spay/neuter deposit. The purchaser of a dog shall comply with the licensing requirements of Chapter 8.12 and comply with Section 8.14.060 of this code.

(c) Spay/Neuter Deposit. Before any animal which is not spayed or neutered is sold or given away, the new owner shall pay a deposit of forty dollars for spaying or neutering the animal. If a female cat/dog and her kittens/puppies or a female cat and her kittens are sold or given away to one individual, only a single deposit shall be required. The deposit shall be returned to the new owner upon presentation of a written statement or receipt from the veterinarian or clinic that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered. Any dog or cat over four months of age at the time it is sold or given away by the pound or shelter shall be spayed or neutered within sixty days or the deposit shall be deemed unclaimed. Any dog or cat four months of age or younger at the time it is sold or given away by the pound or shelter shall be spayed or neutered within six months or the deposit shall be deemed unclaimed. Any deposit not claimed shall be used for the purposes of a program to spay or neuter dogs and cats, a follow-up program to assure that animals sold or given away by the shelter are spayed or neutered, or to cover any additional costs incurred under this section.

(d) Return of Physically Unsuitable Animals. Any purchaser of an impounded animal may, within thirty days of such purchase, return the animal if it has been examined by a veterinarian and has been determined to be physically unsuitable for placement. No part of the license and adoption fee shall be refunded. The spay/neuter deposit may be applied toward the purchase of another impounded animal within thirty calendar days of the original purchase or refunded, whichever is preferred by the purchaser.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) The animal control officer shall take up and impound any strayed, lost, or neglected livestock within the unincorporated area of the county. If the owner is known, the animal control officer shall notify the owner pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.10.030. If the owner or possessor is unknown, the notice shall be posted as prescribed in Sections 17065 and 17066 of the California Food and Agriculture Code. In the case of bovine animals, horses, mules, or burros, such notice shall also be sent to the director of the California Department of Agriculture pursuant to Section 17003 of the Food and Agriculture Code. Impounded livestock may be redeemed by its owner at any time prior to the date of sale.

(b) Except for bovine animals, which shall be turned over to the director of the California Department of Agriculture pursuant to Section 17003 of the Agriculture Code, at the time set for sale the supervisor shall sell all animals not redeemed, securing for each such animal the highest possible price. All sales shall be for cash. All proper fees and charges for keeping such animals shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale. Any balance remaining after the payment of such fees shall be paid into the county treasury for the use of the owner of such animal. If such funds are not claimed by such owner within thirty days thereafter, such funds shall be paid into the general fund of the county. Any sale may be postponed from time to time until all animals are sold. Should any animals so advertised not be sold within ten days after the date of the first notice of sale, the supervisor may sell such animal to any person, or if in the supervisor's discretion, the supervisor believes such animal cannot be sold, may destroy such animal in any humane manner.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) Whenever an animal is kept without proper care and attention so that it sustains or is likely to sustain serious injury or death, or causes or is likely to cause a serious risk of injury to persons or property, the animal control officer may enter the building or premises and remove the animal in accordance with Section 597.1 of the California Penal Code.

(b) If the owner is found to be in violation of any provision of state law or this title regarding humane treatment and proper feeding and care of animals, such owner is liable for the costs incurred by the county for board and care of the seized animal.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)