Chapter 7.06
IMPOUNDS AND QUARANTINE
Sections:
7.06.010 Animal control authority – Duties.
7.06.020 Probable cause to impound animal.
7.06.030 Impoundment – Notice.
7.06.050 Redemption of livestock.
7.06.060 Redemption of animals other than dog and livestock.
7.06.070 Mandatory spay/neuter for impounded dogs and cats – Deposit – Refund exception.
7.06.080 Conditions of release.
7.06.090 Animal bite quarantine.
7.06.100 Penalty for violation.
7.06.010 Animal control authority – Duties.
The animal control authority shall impound all animals subject to impounding pursuant to city ordinance. Impounded animals shall be provided with proper care, feed and water while so confined. The animal control authority shall collect and dispose of all dead animals found in the city, and, if the owner is known, a fee may be collected for such services. Sick or injured animals shall be impounded when not in the owner’s possession and may be euthanized at the discretion of the animal control authority; provided, that the animal control authority shall immediately notify the owner, if the owner is known, and if the owner is unknown, make all reasonable effort to locate and notify the owner. (Ord. 1398 § 2, 2005).
7.06.020 Probable cause to impound animal.
Any law enforcement or animal control officer having probable cause to believe that any person has violated any provision of this title by reason of his or her animal’s misconduct may impound or cause to be impounded any such animal. Such impoundment shall be subject to all other sections of this title and all other municipal laws. (Ord. 1398 § 3, 2005).
7.06.030 Impoundment – Notice.
Upon the impoundment of an animal pursuant to this chapter, the impounding animal control authority shall as soon as possible notify the animal’s owner, if the owner is known, of the animal’s impoundment, and the terms upon which the animal can be redeemed. If the owner of the impounded animal is unknown, the animal control authority shall make reasonable efforts to locate and notify the impounded animal’s owner. The impounding authority shall retain said animal for 48 hours following actual notice to the owner. The notifying of any person over the age of 18 who resides at the owner’s domicile shall constitute actual notice to the owner. (Ord. 1398 § 4, 2005).
7.06.040 Redemption of dogs.
(a) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this title, the owner of any dog impounded under this title may redeem said dog within 48 hours from time of impounding by paying to the animal control authority the appropriate redemption fee. For the first impound within a one-year period, the redemption fee is $25.00; for the second impound within a one-year period, the redemption fee is $50.00; for the third and subsequent impounds within a one-year period, the redemption fee is $75.00. If the dog is wearing a current pet license which is recognizable by the animal control authority at the time of the first impound, no redemption fee will be collected. In addition to the redemption fee, the redeemer shall pay as a boarding charge for the caring and keeping of such dog the sum of $6.00 per day for each day, including the first and last days, that the dog is retained by the impounding authority. This boarding charge will be collected for the first impound whether or not the animal is wearing a pet license which is recognizable by the animal control authority at the time of the first impound. In addition to the redemption fee, the redeemer shall pay any unpaid applicable license fee.
(b) If such animal is not redeemed by the owner within 48 hours, it may be adopted, or humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the animal control agency; provided, however, that any animal so impounded less than two months of age, at the discretion of the animal control authority, may be adopted, or humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of at any time after impounding. (Ord. 1398 § 5, 2005).
7.06.050 Redemption of livestock.
The owner of livestock impounded under this title may redeem said livestock within 48 hours from time of impounding by paying to the impounding authority a redemption fee of $35.00 per animal for small livestock (i.e., goats, sheep, swine, ostriches, rhea, emu, etc.) and a redemption fee of $75.00 per animal for large livestock (i.e., cattle, horses, mules, llamas, etc.). In addition, the cost of a private livestock hauler, if one is used, is to be paid at the time of redemption. In addition to the redemption fee, the redeemer shall pay as a boarding charge for the caring and keeping of such animal in the sum of $6.00 for each day, including the first and last days, that the animal is cared for at the impounding authority. The livestock may be cared for by a private boarding facility, in which case that facility’s boarding fees shall be paid at the time of redemption. (Ord. 1398 § 6, 2005).
7.06.060 Redemption of animals other than dog and livestock.
(a) The owner of any animal other than a dog or livestock impounded under the provisions of this title may redeem it within 48 hours from the time of impounding by paying to the animal control authority a redemption fee of $15.00. In addition to the redemption fee, the redeemer shall pay as a boarding charge for the caring and keeping of such animal the sum of $4.00 per day for each day, including the first and last days, that the animal is retained by the impounding authority. In addition to the redemption fee, the redeemer shall pay any unpaid applicable license fee.
(b) If such animal is not redeemed by the owner within 48 hours, it may be adopted, or humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the animal control authority; provided, however, that any animal so impounded less than two months of age, at the discretion of the animal control authority, may be adopted, or humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of at any time after impounding. (Ord. 1398 § 7, 2005).
7.06.070 Mandatory spay/neuter for impounded dogs and cats – Deposit – Refund exception.
(a) No unaltered dog or cat that is impounded more than once in any 12-month period may be redeemed by any person until the animal is spayed or neutered. The alteration shall be accomplished by transport of the animal by the animal control authority personnel to any duly licensed veterinarian in Pierce County selected by the owner. If no veterinarian is named, the animal control authority shall transport the animal to any duly licensed veterinarian in Pierce County it selects. In all cases, the veterinarian fees shall be paid at the time of redemption.
(b) Exception. The alteration shall not be required if the owner or other person redeeming the animal provides a written statement from a licensed veterinarian that the spay or neuter would be harmful to the animal. (Ord. 1398 § 8, 2005).
7.06.080 Conditions of release.
The animal control authority is authorized to refuse to release to its owner any animal that has been impounded more than once in a 12-month period unless the owner demonstrates that he or she has taken steps to reasonably ensure that the violation will not occur again. The animal control authority may impose reasonable conditions that must be satisfied by the owner before release of the animal, including conditions assuring that the animal will be confined. Failure to comply with the conditions of release is a violation. (Ord. 1398 § 9, 2005).
7.06.090 Animal bite quarantine.
When an animal control officer is notified that an animal has bitten a human and the bite penetrated the skin, the animal control authority shall notify the health department. (Ord. 1513 § 4, 2011; Ord. 1398 § 10, 2005).
7.06.100 Penalty for violation.
Unless specifically designated otherwise, or is specified to be enforced pursuant to other law, including, but not limited to, other chapters or titles of this code, any violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor.
Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense. A monetary penalty of $52.00 shall also be imposed for failure to respond to or pay the infraction or citation. (Ord. 1398 § 11, 2005).
7.06.110 Severability.
Should any part of this chapter be adjudged invalid for any reason, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof. (Ord. 1398 § 12, 2005).