Chapter 6.24
IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS

Sections:

6.24.010    City to provide animal shelter.

6.24.020    Animals to be impounded when.

6.24.030    Notification to owner of animal.

6.24.050    Fines and charges for impoundment.

6.24.060    Redemption of animals.

6.24.070    Disposition of unredeemed animals and dogs.

6.24.080    Destruction of animals authorized when.

6.24.010 City to provide animal shelter.

There shall be provided by the City Council, or by the director a suitable building or enclosure to keep and safely hold all animals impounded pursuant to this title, which shall be known and designated as the animal shelter; all references to “pound” contained in this chapter mean the animal shelter. The director may enter into contract with an outside public agency or private persons to provide suitable facilities that meet the criteria set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.020 Animals to be impounded when.

It shall be the duty of the director to take up, impound and safely keep any animal found running at large, staked, tied or being herded or pastured in any public place or upon any private property in the City contrary to the provisions of this title. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.030 Notification to owner of animal.

The director or person appointed by him or the City Council, shall immediately upon impoundment of an animal, make every reasonable effort to notify the owner of such animal impounded, and inform the owner of the conditions whereby he may regain custody of the animal. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.050 Fines and charges for impoundment.

The director shall charge, receive and collect charges for impounded animals as established pursuant to Article V, relating to fees, of Chapter 3 of Title 3, relating to animal control, of the Alameda County Ordinance Code. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.060 Redemption of animals.

The owner of any impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim the same at any time prior to the lawful disposition thereof, upon payment to the director the costs and charges provided in LMC 6.24.050 for the impounding and keeping of such animals. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.070 Disposition of unredeemed animals and dogs.

A. Unless unlicensed animals shall have been redeemed within five days after being impounded, or licensed animals within 10 days after notification provided for in LMC 6.24.030, they may be sold by the animal shelter; provided, that the purchaser shall not be given possession of any dog until he has paid to the licensing authority the license fee or fees prescribed. If any dog or other animal impounded by the director has not been redeemed within such period and cannot be sold within a reasonable time thereafter, it may be destroyed in a humane manner. In lieu of destruction, the animal shelter may release animals, without charge, to any humane organization that provides an animal adoption service. The shelter shall maintain a file describing each animal impounded therein, for at least the prescribed period beginning on the day any such animal is taken or delivered into the possession of the shelter. The owner must, within five days, show proof of a current, valid antirabies vaccination.

B. The owner of any impounded animal may, at any time within 30 days after sale by the shelter redeem from the purchaser by paying him the amount of the purchase price paid by him to the shelter and any license fees paid, and in addition thereto the sum equal to the rates established in LMC 6.24.050 per day for the number of days from the date of sale to and including the date of such redemption.

C. Notwithstanding any provisions in Chapters 6.04 through 6.28 LMC to the contrary, the Agriculture Code of the state, Division 3, Chapter 5, shall be complied with in reference to stray bovine animals, horses, mules or burros. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)

6.24.080 Destruction of animals authorized when.

It shall be the duty of the director, and he is authorized, to humanely destroy any animal lawfully impounded which is, by reason of age, disease or other cause, unfit for further use, or which is dangerous to keep impounded. (Ord. 1244 § 2, 1987)