Chapter 6.28
IMPOUNDMENT
Sections:
6.28.010 Impoundment procedure.
6.28.020 Redemption of impounded animals.
6.28.070 Tattooing or microchip insertion – Impounded dogs, cats.
6.28.010 Impoundment procedure.
A. Animals Running at Large. Animals found running at large are subject to impoundment by an Animal Control Officer or authorized agent providing animal control contract services to the City. Animals running at large without identification shall be impounded at the animal control shelter for a period of not less than 72 hours, unless sooner claimed by the owner. Animals with identification which are found running at large in the City shall be impounded for not less than 120 hours, unless sooner claimed by the owner. Animals not claimed by the owner within the mandatory minimum impoundment period may be held for adoption or disposed of in a humane manner.
B. Pursuit of Animals Running at Large. An Animal Control Officer shall not pursue an animal running at large onto property posted with a “No Trespassing” sign or onto property where the property owner expressly refuses access to the Animal Control Officer. An Animal Control Officer may enter the animal owner’s property to issue an animal running at large citation.
C. Notification. The Animal Control Office shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of an impounded animal and the conditions under which the owner may retain custody of the animal.
D. Vicious Animals. All vicious animals shall be impounded whenever possible and held at the animal control shelter. If the owner of a vicious animal can be located within the holding period set forth in subsection (A) of this section, a hearing before the Mayor or Mayor’s designee may be held to adjudicate the animal as vicious. (Ord. 16-16 § 5, 2016. Prior code §§ 6.08.010, 6.08.040)
6.28.020 Redemption of impounded animals.
A. The owner is entitled to reclaim possession of an impounded animal, unless otherwise provided by this title, upon the owner’s compliance with the applicable registration and tattooing requirements, and the payment of fees and expenses set forth in this title.
B. The Chief Animal Control Officer may, for good cause, enter into a conditional release agreement with an owner of an animal impounded. (Prior code § 6.08.050)
6.28.030 Fees.
A. The City adopts the impoundment fees and costs to be charged by the Animal Control Office or shelter or an agency authorized by contract with the City.
B. Payment of impoundment fees for an animal running at large shall not exceed $100.00 per animal for each incident of impoundment.
C. The owner of an impounded animal shall be responsible for expenses and costs in addition to the impoundment and boarding fees reasonably incurred by the City for care and maintenance of the animal, including the expense of contract services provided to the City.
D. The animal may not be returned to the owner unless and until fees are paid. If the fees are not paid within 120 hours of notice of impoundment to the owner, the animal shall be subject to the adoption and euthanasia provisions of this title at the Chief Animal Control Officer’s discretion.
E. The Chief Animal Control Officer may, for good cause, waive a portion of the fees, expenses or costs, and may enter into a payment schedule agreement with an owner. (Ord. 05-11 § 3, 2005)
6.28.040 Livestock auction.
The Chief Animal Control Officer may, with Council approval, auction livestock as set forth in an Animal Control Policies, Regulations and Procedures Manual or a manual adopted by a Council-approved agency by contract with the City. (Ord. 05-11 § 3, 2005)
6.28.050 Adoption.
A. In addition to the registration provisions set forth in Chapter 6.16 HMC, no dog or cat shall be adopted from the shelter unless the prospective owner agrees to have the animal spayed or neutered.
B. The Council hereby adopts the animal adoption fees of $50.00.
C. A dog or cat which is at least six months old and is not spayed or neutered when it is adopted shall be spayed or neutered within 30 calendar days of the date of adoption. Dogs and cats which are under six months of age at the time of adoption shall be spayed or neutered within seven months of the date of birth of the dog or cat. The owner of a dog or cat adopted from the shelter shall provide to the City written proof of having the dog or cat spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 30 calendar days of the last date the dog or cat is required by this section to be spayed or neutered.
D. An animal may not be adopted from impoundment that shows symptoms of infectious or contagious disease or shows signs of aggression toward humans or other animals.
E. Records of adoptions shall be maintained by the Animal Control Office.
F. The Chief Animal Control Officer may, in the officer’s discretion, establish an adoption plan and fee schedule for animals other than dogs or cats.
G. An animal classified as a nuisance, dangerous or vicious may not be adopted from impoundment.
H. Adoption of any impounded animal is at the discretion of the City.
I. Adoption policies consistent with the provisions of this section may be established by the Council and the Chief Animal Control Officer and set forth in an Animal Control Policies, Regulations and Procedures Manual or a manual adopted by an agency authorized by contract with the City.
J. Failure to have a dog or cat spayed or neutered as set forth in subsection (C) of this section, or to provide written proof of the spay or neuter, is an infraction. (Ord. 05-11 § 3, 2005)
6.28.060 Voluntary release.
A person voluntarily releasing ownership of an animal to the City shall execute a release of ownership in favor of the City and pay a fee of $3.00 per animal. The Chief Animal Control Officer may, for good cause, waive the release fee. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)
6.28.070 Tattooing or microchip insertion – Impounded dogs, cats.
All dogs and cats impounded and released from the animal control shelter, whether by redemption, adoption or otherwise, shall receive a tattoo in the right ear with a City registration number, or a microchip implant approved by the City. If the animal is being released to the owner and the owner requests to be present, the owner shall be present during the tattooing or insertion of the microchip. The cost of the tattoo or microchip shall be paid by the owner. The Chief Animal Control Officer shall list the fee for a tattoo or microchip implant in a schedule approved by the Mayor or his or her designee. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)