6-5-14: IMPOUNDMENT AND REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

A. Operation Of Pound: The city may contract with an outside agency to serve as the city's animal shelter or pound to provide for the impoundment of animals pursuant to this chapter.

B. Impoundment Of Animals: Any dog or cat or other animal found running at large shall be picked up and immediately impounded in the animal shelter and there confined in a humane manner.

C. Records Kept; Notice To Owner: The city animal control officer, upon receiving an animal for impoundment, shall record or cause to be recorded the description, breed, color and sex of the animal and the name and address of the owner as may be shown on applicable city animal control records. If the owner is known, the officer shall notify the owner at an address or telephone number available to the city, or leave a notice with a member of the owner's family, or other person residing at the owner's home, as shown in the city records, over the age of fifteen (15) years, to notify the owner that unless reclaimed within seventy two (72) hours after impoundment, Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays excluded, the animal will be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with city procedures. (1992 Code § 4-131)

D. Fees:

1. Fees Established:

a. Fees for impounding and keeping an animal, to be paid upon redemption, are as set by the city council by motion or resolution. In computing a fee, a fraction of a day during which an animal or fowl has been fed shall be deemed a full day.

b. In addition to the above fees, any person requesting impoundment or disposal of an animal by the shelter shall pay a fee for such service as set by the council by motion or resolution. (1992 Code § 4-133)

2. Payment Of Fees: Any person redeeming an impounded animal or fowl shall pay the fees to the city clerk and present the receipt therefor to the person in charge of the animal shelter before the latter releases the animal or fowl.

3. Proof Of Rabies Vaccination; Deposit: Any dog or cat not vaccinated against rabies being held or impounded by the city shall not be released to the owner or any other person without proof of current vaccination against rabies or without paying a deposit in such sum as is set by the city council by motion or resolution, which deposit shall be refunded to the person putting up the same upon proof of current vaccination being shown to the animal control officer within seventy two (72) hours of the release of the animal. If such proof is not presented, then the animal control officer may retake the animal into custody and deposit the deposit with the city clerk to be retained as expenses of taking the animal into custody. (1992 Code § 4-133; amd. 2006 Code)

E. Time For Redemption; Disposition Of Animal: An owner of an impounded animal or his agent may redeem the animal prior to its sale or destruction, as provided for herein, by paying the required fees against the animal and meeting any other requirements which may be prescribed in this chapter. If the owner or his agent has not redeemed the animal within seventy two (72) hours after the impoundment of the animal, the animal may be otherwise disposed of as provided for herein.

F. Adoption Of Animals: A person desiring to adopt an animal from impoundment shall pay an adoption fee, costs of any necessary vaccinations, and a deposit of ten dollars ($10.00) to guarantee the neutering or spaying of the dog or cat, and shall sign an agreement with the city ensuring that the dog or cat will be spayed or neutered. (1992 Code § 4-134)

G. Release Of Diseased Animals Prohibited: No dog or cat suffering from rabies or other infectious or dangerous disease may be released from the animal control shelter. (1992 Code § 4-133)

H. Breaking Pound, Interfering With Officers Prohibited:

1. If any person breaks open, or in any manner directly or indirectly aids in, or counsels or advises the breaking open of any city pound or contract pound, or hinders, delays or obstructs any person duly authorized in taking up or taking to the city pound any animal liable to be impounded, he shall be guilty of an offense.

2. No person shall interfere with, or hinder or molest any agent of the city in the performance of any duty of such agent, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the city or its agents, except as provided by law. (1992 Code § 4-132)