Norwalk Municipal Code Ch. 6.20 Impoundment

There shall be provided by the City, or by the Executive Director, upon such terms and conditions as shall be named in a contract executed by and between the Executive Director and the City, a suitable building or enclosure to keep and safely hold all animals enumerated in this chapter which are subject to be impounded, which shall be known and designated as the animal shelter.

(Prior code § 6-7.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

It shall be the duty of the Executive Director or designee to take up, impound and safely keep any of the animals enumerated in this chapter 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 upon any private property in the City, contrary to the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 6-7.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

It shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the Executive Director for a period of at least five working days, or such longer period as may be provided.

(Prior code § 6-7.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The owner of any animal impounded may reclaim such animal at any time prior to the sale of such animal, upon Executive Director approval and payment of the costs and charges for impounding and keeping the animal.

(Prior code § 6-7.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to issue and sign a death warrant for and to order the destruction of any animal lawfully taken into custody which, in the opinion of the Executive Director, is infected with a dangerous or communicable disease, or which is in an incurable crippled condition, or which is adjudged by a written report of a licensed veterinarian to be afflicted with any painful incurable disease.

(Prior code § 6-7.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to take up all dogs found in violation of Section 6.12.010. When any such is taken up by any other person, it shall be delivered to the Executive Director.

(Prior code § 6-7.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

When any dog or cat is impounded, the Executive Director shall immediately notify the owner, if known to him or her, by written notice, and shall hold such animal for a period of at least 10 days after written notification.

(Prior code § 6-7.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Subject to the other provisions of this chapter, any person may make application to the Executive Director for the return of any dog or cat, and, upon presentation of proof satisfactory to the Executive Director that such person is the owner or is rightfully entitled to the possession of such dog or cat, and, upon the payment of the required fee, may recover such dog or cat.

(Prior code § 6-7.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Prior to the release of any dog from the Animal Shelter to its owner, proof of rabies vaccination shall be required. If the owner or other person seeking possession fails to show such proof, the veterinarian on duty shall administer such vaccination, for such fee as may be established by the Executive Director, prior to releasing the dog.

(Prior code § 6-7.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

All licensed dogs impounded at the animal shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the Executive Director for a period of at least 10 working days after written notice is given to the owner, and all unlicensed dogs for a period of at least five calendar days.

(Prior code § 6-7.10; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

All cats, displaying some type of identification, impounded at the animal shelter shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the Executive Director for a period of at least 10 days after written notice is given to the owner. Cats without identification shall be held for at least five days, after which time these cats may be destroyed, except that cats determined by the Executive Director to be wild may be disposed of by the Executive Director upon impoundment.

(Prior code § 6-7.11; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Dogs and cats not redeemed may be sold by the Executive Director to the person offering to pay the highest cash amount for such dogs and cats; provided that, the purchaser shall not be given possession of any such dog or cat until he or she shall have paid to the Executive Director the charges prescribed for impoundment and keeping of such dog or cat. If any dog or cat impounded by the Executive Director shall not have been redeemed within the periods prescribed for impoundment, and cannot be sold within a reasonable time thereafter, it may be summarily disposed of by the Executive Director in some humane way. The Executive Director shall keep on file at the animal shelter a description of each dog and cat impounded, for the period beginning on the day any such dog and cat is taken or delivered into the possession of the Executive Director.

(Prior code § 6-7.12; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)