Chapter 6.04 — IMPOUNDMENT

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1895, § 1, adopted Aug. 6, 2014, repealed Ch. 6.04 and enacted a new chapter as set out herein. The former Ch. 6.04, §§ 6.04.010—6.04.080, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 1608 § 1 (part), adopted in 1995.

A public animal shelter shall be maintained at such place as is provided from time to time by the city council.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

A.

Licensed Animals. Any animal wearing a valid city license tag issued pursuant to this title shall be provided with food and water and shall not be sold, given away or destroyed until the following:

The owner has been personally notified and has failed to redeem the animal within four business days, not including the day of impoundment, Sundays and holidays; or

The owner has given written authorization for release; or

The owner has failed to claim the animal within five business days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, of the date a certified letter of notification, return receipt requested was deposited within the U.S. Postal Service by the animal control officer addressed to the owner's last known address, or by the Animal Control Officer posting a Notice of Impoundment at the owner's last known address.

B.

Unlicensed Animals. All unlicensed animals impounded will be provided with food and water and held for a period of not less than four business days, not including the day of impoundment, Sundays and holidays. All unlicensed animals not redeemed by the owner or person having custody or control of the animal within the holding period may be euthanized or otherwise disposed of.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

A.

Licensed Animals. The owner or person having custody or control of an animal licensed pursuant to this title that is impounded may redeem said animal upon payment of a redemption fee and any other applicable fees or charges as may be established from time to time by resolution of the city council.

B.

Unlicensed Animals. The owner or persons having custody or control of any unlicensed animal, not otherwise prohibited by this title, that is impounded may redeem said animal upon payment of the annual license fee, the redemption fee, any other applicable fees or charges and by obtaining any necessary anti- rabies vaccinations. The annual license fee, redemption fee and other fees or charges shall be established from time to time by resolution of the city council.

C.

Out-of-Town Animals. The owner or persons having custody of an out-of-town animal taken up and impounded may redeem within four business days, not including the day of impoundment, Sundays or holidays upon payment of a redemption fee and any other applicable fees or charges in such amounts established from time to time by resolution of the city council.

D.

If the owner or person having custody or control of an animal impounded pursuant to this title contests any fee charged pursuant to this chapter, such person may redeem the animal only by paying the applicable fee

or fees. After redemption of said animal, the person protesting the fees imposed may appeal the imposition of said fees by letter to the chief of police. The decision of the chief of police shall be final.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

The animal control officer shall keep a register, which shall be delivered to his or her successor in office, in which shall be entered, in numerical order, a full description of such animals impounded and disposed, with all natural and artificial marks and brands, with the time when, and the place where found prior to impoundment.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

A.

Any animal, other than dogs or cats, whose value in the opinion of the animal control officer, will exceed the expense for which the animal may be liable, may be advertised for sale. The advertisement shall be published for not less than two days in the official newspaper, and shall contain a complete description of the animal to be sold. Advertisement shall give notice that the sale is to be at public auction to be conducted by the animal control officer; shall give the location, time and date of said sale; and shall set forth that the animal will be sold to pay the charges that have, or will have accrued against it, together with advertising costs. The date set for the conduct of the sale shall be not less than two nor more than ten days from the date of the first publication of the advertisement.

B.

If the animal has not been redeemed prior to the sale, the animal control officer shall sell the animal for cash to the highest bidder, and upon the payment of the purchase money, he shall deliver the animal, together with a bill of sale thereof, to the purchaser.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

Any owner redeeming an animal after advertisement for sale has begun shall be required to pay the advertising costs which have accrued in addition to any other applicable fees as fixed by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

Whenever any animal other than a dog or cat, has been sold or redeemed, the animal control officer shall enter in the register, under the same number as its description, the date it was sold or redeemed, the name and address of the party buying or redeeming the animal, the total cost and expense incurred, specifying

each item, and the sale price or any applicable fees received. This register may be examined and copied, free of charge, during business hours of the animal shelter.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)

The animal control officer shall, upon request of any person within the city, receive, remove and/or dispose of any living or dead animal owned by or in the posses sion of such person subject to any fees which may be established from time to time by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 1895, § 1, 8-6-2014)