Mendota Municipal Code Ch. 6.36 Impoundment of Animals

The poundmaster, their designee, animal control officer, or any peace officer of the city shall take up, impound and safely keep any domesticated animal which is found to violate the following requirements:

A. Running at large contrary to the provisions of this title within the incorporated territory of the city.

B. Any dog upon which the license fee is unpaid, or upon which the owner refuses to pay the license fee;

C. Any dog upon which the owner refuses to have the dog vaccinated as required in this title; and

D. Any animal to be found as vicious or dangerous, or that has attacked another animal or person.

It is lawful for the poundmaster, their designee, animal control officer, or any peace officer of the city to enter upon the property of any person for the purpose of enforcing this section. Any dog taken up and impounded as provided shall be held at the city pound for five days and if the requirements of this section are not met within five days, the poundmaster shall cause the dog to be disposed of as required by law. In addition to the requirements for the license fees, the owner shall also pay redemption and impoundment fees.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

Any animal, including but not limited to dogs, found trespassing on private property may be taken up by the owner of the private property and turned over to the poundmaster or animal control officer to be impounded.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

All dogs less than four months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by the owner, keeper, or harborer. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the sale or transportation of a puppy four months old or younger.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

The owner or person(s) entitled to the control of any animal, which is impounded, may at any time prior to the lawful disposal of the animal redeem the animal by paying all applicable fees.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

All animals impounded under the provisions of this chapter shall be disposed of as provided by law; provided that no impounded animal shall be disposed of until after written notice has been given by the poundmaster or his designee to the owner of the animal as provided in this chapter. If the animal is licensed under the provisions of this chapter and there is affixed to the collar of the animal a city license tag, the notice shall be given to the owner at the address set forth in the city licensing records. If the animal is not licensed and there is no license tag attached to the collar of the animal, no notice need be given. The notice shall contain a description of the animal impounded, the species, breed, sex and the date the animal was impounded. The notice shall be served by mailing a copy thereof by United States mail to the owner of the animal at the last address of the owner as shown on the city's records. If no person appears and redeems the animal within five days from the date of mailing of the notice or within five days after the animal was impounded, whichever is later, the poundmaster shall cause the animal to be disposed of as provided by law. Provided however, that any interested person may redeem the impounded animal upon payment of all applicable fees.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

The fees for impoundment and redemption of all animals impounded under this title shall be established by resolution of the city council. The fees include an impoundment and redemption fee, a transportation fee any time that the animal control officer transports an animal to the city animal shelter, and a fee for boarding the animals assessed each day the animal remains in the pound. These fees are in addition to any fees and fines resulting from other violations within this title.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

Within two business days after an animal which is wearing a license tag is impounded, the animal control officer shall mail a notice of the impounding to the owner of the animal at the address shown on the application for the license which is on file in the office of the poundmaster, and advise the owner of the procedure whereby he may regain custody of the animal and declaration of what fees are being assessed.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)