CHAPTER 24.35: ANIMAL CARE AND REGULATION OFFICER
Section
24.35.010 Animal care and regulation officers; appointment
24.35.020 Powers and duties of animal care and regulation officers
24.35.050 Policies, regulations, and procedures
24.35.010 ANIMAL CARE AND REGULATION OFFICERS; APPOINTMENT.
(A) Appointment. The borough manager shall appoint a chief animal care and regulation officer.
(B) [Repealed by Ord. 96-049, § 4, 1996]
(C) Contract for services. The borough may contract, in whole or in part, for any or part of its animal care and regulation services.
(Ord. 15-002, § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. 01-120, § 40, 2001; Ord. 96-049, § 4, 1996; Ord. 92-013(sub1), § 3 (part), 1992)
24.35.020 POWERS AND DUTIES OF ANIMAL CARE AND REGULATION OFFICERS.
(A) Animal care director. The animal care director has all the powers of the chief animal care and regulation officer and a deputy animal care and regulation officer and the power to administer and enforce the provisions of this title, including, but not limited to, the following: operating animal shelters, conducting low cost rabies vaccination and spay/neuter clinics for dogs and cats, entering into settlement and payment schedule agreements, and developing and implementing animal care and regulation policies and procedures.
(B) Chief animal care and regulation officer. The chief animal care and regulation officer has all the powers of a deputy animal care and regulation officer and the power to enforce the provisions of this title, including, but not limited to, the following: holding animal care and regulation hearings as authorized by this title, issuing written animal care and regulation administrative orders, negotiating and settling nonjudicial disputes and matters under this title, and implementing animal care and regulation policy and procedures.
(C) Deputy animal care and regulation officer. A deputy animal care and regulation officer has the duty to enforce the provisions of this title, subject to the chief animal care and regulation officer’s authority, including, but not limited to, investigating animal care and regulation matters and issuing, filing, and serving citations and written administrative orders.
(Ord. 24-066, § 32, 2024; Ord. 15-002, § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. 01-120, § 41, 2001; Ord. 92-013(sub1), § 3 (part), 1992)
24.35.030 INTERFERENCE.
(A) It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, or molest an animal care and regulation officer or agent of the borough in the performance of any of the duties under this title.
(B) It is unlawful for any person to remove or release any animal from the animal shelter, animal care and regulation vehicles, borough live animal traps, or from any other official custody of any animal care and regulation officer or agent of the borough without first obtaining permission to do so from the animal care and regulation office.
(C) It is unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with any animal care and regulation investigation, reporting, or prosecution.
(D) An individual may lawfully detain any domestic animal found in violation of the borough code, provided they immediately notify the animal care and regulation office and surrender the animal to an animal care and regulation officer within 24 hours.
(E) Violation of this section is an infraction.
(Ord. 24-066, § 33, 2024; Ord. 15-002, § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. 01-120, § 41, 2001; Ord. 94-120AM, § 73, 1994; Ord. 92-013(sub1), § 3 (part), 1992)
24.35.040 RECORDKEEPING.
(A) Records. The animal care and regulation office shall keep accurate and detailed records including, but not limited to, records regarding moneys received and expended, registering, impoundment, disposition of animals, and investigations regarding animals coming under the borough’s jurisdiction, according to applicable borough records retention schedules.
(B) Confidentiality. Complaints and investigation records shall be kept confidential and not released unless otherwise required by law.
(Ord. 15-002, § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. 01-120, § 42, 2001; Ord. 92-013(sub1), § 3 (part), 1992)
24.35.050 POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND PROCEDURES.
Subject to the approval of the borough manager, the animal care director may establish written policies, regulations, and procedures to carry out the provisions of this title. Animal care and regulation policies and procedures adopted and administered by the animal care director shall be set forth in the manual entitled “Animal Care and Regulation Policies and Procedures,” which shall be made available to the public. Subject to the approval of the borough manager the animal care director may modify, amend, or rescind, in writing, in whole or in part the “Animal Care and Regulation Policies and Procedures” manual.
(Ord. 24-066, § 34, 2024; Ord. 15-002, § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. 01-120, § 43, 2001; Ord. 92-013(sub1), § 3 (part), 1992)