Newark Municipal Code Ch. 6.20 Impoundment

A. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to take up, impound, and safely keep any of the animals enumerated in this title and found running at large, staked, tied, or being herded or pastured in any street, lane, alley, court, square, park, or other place belonging to or under the control of the city, or other public or quasi-public property, or upon private property, contrary to the provisions of this title.

B. Additionally, if after inspection in accordance with Section 6.12.020 of this title, in the judgment of the animal control officer, the health, care and/or safety needs of an animal are not adequately being met, the animal control officer is empowered to impound and provide any necessary housing, sustenance and/or veterinary treatment for such animal; and such housing, sustenance and/or veterinary treatment shall be at the expense of its owner or keeper.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 1, 1979)

A. Every person taking up any stray animal or any animal which is running at large contrary to the provisions of this title shall, within eight hours thereafter, give notice to the animal control officer of:

1. The fact that the animal is in his/her possession;

2. The complete description of the animal;

3. The license number of the animal, if any, and by what county or municipal corporation issued. If the animal has no license, the person shall so state;

4. The place where the animal is confined.

B. Every such person or any person in whose temporary custody the animal is placed may deliver the animal to the shelter without fee or charge; and the animal control officer shall thereupon hold and dispose of the animal in the same manner as though the animal had been found at large and impounded by the animal control officer.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 2, 1979)

The animal control officer shall immediately, upon impoundment of any dogs or other animals, make every reasonable effort to notify the owners of the dogs or other animals impounded and inform the owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such animals. If the animal is a dog and has a valid license, the owner shall be notified. The notice shall be delivered in person or by deposit in the mails, properly addressed and postage prepaid.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 3, 1979)

All animals impounded at the animal shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the animal control officer. Unless the unlicensed animals have been redeemed within three days after being impounded, or licensed animals within five days after receipt of notification provided for in Section 6.20.030, they may be sold (adopted) by the animal control officer to the person offering to pay a cash amount set by fees established by city council resolution, but not less than ten dollars therefor; provided, that the purchaser shall not be given possession of any dog(s) until after payment to the city of the license fee or fees prescribed for the dog(s). If any dog or other animal impounded by the animal control officer has not been redeemed within the period and cannot be sold (adopted) within a reasonable time thereafter, as determined by the animal control officer under contract with the city, it may be destroyed by the animal control officer in a humane manner. In lieu of destruction, the animal control officer may release, without charge, animals to any humane organization that provides an animal adoption service. The animal control officer shall maintain a file at an animal shelter describing each animal impounded therein for at least the prescribed period beginning on the day any animal is taken or delivered into the possession of the animal shelter. The new owner must, within ten days, show proof of a current, valid anti-rabies vaccination.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 4, 1979)

The owner of any licensed, impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim the same at any time prior to the lawful disposition thereof upon payment to the animal control officer of the costs and charges established by city council resolution for the impounding and keeping of the animals.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 5, 1979)

The owner of any impounded animal may, at any time within thirty days of sale by animal control officer, redeem from the purchaser by paying: the amount of the purchase price paid to the animal control officer, plus any license fee paid, and, in addition thereto, the sum equal to rates established as boarding fees per day for the number of days from the date of sale to and including the date of such redemption.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 6, 1979)

The animal control officer is authorized to destroy any animal lawfully impounded which is by reason of age, disease, or other cause unfit for adoption, or is dangerous to keep impounded.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 7, 1979)

The animal control officer shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of receipt of the animal, the date and manner of its disposal; and, if redeemed, reclaimed or sold, the name of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed or purchased, the address of the person, and the amounts of all fees received or collected for or because of the impounding, reclaiming or purchasing (adoption) thereof, together with the number of any tag and the date of any license exhibited or issued upon the redemption or sale of any animal.

(Ord. 159 Art. IV § 8, 1979)