Chapter 7.08
IMPOUNDING
Sections:
7.08.010 Kitsap County Humane Society – Appointed animal control authority.
7.08.020 Animal control authority – Duties.
7.08.030 Animal control authority employees to be special police.
7.08.040 Interference with animal impoundment.
7.08.050 Notice of animal impounding.
7.08.060 Redemption of dog, cat, or other domestic animal, excluding livestock.
7.08.070 Redemption of horses, cows, goats or other domestic livestock.
7.08.080 Sale of unclaimed horse, cow, goat or other domestic livestock.
7.08.090 Disposal of wild domestic dogs or cats caught in traps.
7.08.100 Disposition of sick or injured animals.
7.08.010 Kitsap County Humane Society – Appointed animal control authority.
The Kitsap County Humane Society, a corporation existing under RCW 16.52.020, is appointed as agent of the Port Orchard police department, and shall henceforth be, and is, designated the official animal control authority for the city. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.020 Animal control authority – Duties.
The animal control authority, as an agent of the Port Orchard police department, shall enforce Port Orchard ordinances and statutes of the state relating to the care, treatment, control, impounding, licensing and quarantining of animals. The animal control authority shall provide impounded animals with proper care, feed and water while so confined, shall collect and dispose of all dead dogs and dead cats found on the city streets, alleys, sidewalks, and other public areas, and if the owner is known, a reasonable fee may be collected therefrom for such services. Sick or injured animals may be impounded when not in the custody, possession, or control of the owner or keeper and may be humanely destroyed at the discretion of the animal control authority. The owner of such animal shall be notified of such action if such animal is wearing a license tag, identification tag, micro-chip implant or tattoo or if the owner is otherwise known, and the owner may be assessed the customary service charge for such disposal. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.030 Animal control authority employees to be special police.
Each employee of the animal control authority over the age of 21 years may be made a special police officer and charged with the duty of enforcing animal control ordinances of the city and statutes of the state as prescribed in POMC 7.08.020, but without pay from the city treasury. A special police commission shall be issued to such employees by, and at the discretion of, the police chief of the city, and may be revoked at will by the police chief, and when so revoked such appointment shall cease and be null and void. (Ord. 017-23 § 7 (Exh. A); Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.040 Interference with animal impoundment.
It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, delay or impede any officer in the enforcement of this chapter, and such violation is punishable by a fine not exceeding $300.00 or by imprisonment in the city jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.050 Notice of animal impounding.
Upon any dog or other animal being impounded under the provisions of this chapter, the animal control authority shall, as soon as feasible, notify the owner, if the owner is known, of the impounding of such animal, and the terms upon which the animal may be redeemed. If such animal is not wearing a license tag or other identification, it shall be the responsibility of the owner or keeper to determine if the animal has been impounded. The animal control authority shall make every effort to identify and contact the owner. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.060 Redemption of dog, cat, or other domestic animal, excluding livestock.
The owner of any dog, cat or other domestic animal impounded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may redeem such animal within 96 hours from the time of impounding by payment of any unpaid licensing fee, plus an impound fee of
$20.00, plus a kennel fee of $10.00 per day. If such dog, cat, or other domestic animal is not redeemed within 96 hours from the time of impounding, such animal may at the discretion of the animal control authority be adopted by another person or euthanized. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.070 Redemption of horses, cows, goats or other domestic livestock.
The owner of any horse, cow, goat or other domestic livestock may redeem it within 96 hours from the time of impounding by paying to the animal control authority an impound fee of $50.00 for the first offense and a $15.00 boarding fee for each day or part thereof that an animal is detained, including the day impounded. The impoundment fee will double with each offense; for example, first offense $50.00, second offense $100.00, third offense $200.00, etc. An additional fee of $75.00 shall be paid to the animal control authority for transportation of larger animals requiring the use of special equipment for impounding. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.080 Sale of unclaimed horse, cow, goat or other domestic livestock.
Any horse, cow, goat or other domestic livestock not claimed and released upon required payment shall at the expiration of 96 hours be sold at public auction upon notice published in the city official newspaper setting forth a date, not less than 10 days from date impounded, time and place and describing the animal with reasonable certainty and stating the name of owner, if known, and if unknown, so stating. A copy of such notice shall be served upon the owner, if known to the animal control authority, and can be found in the city, at least one day before the sale. The animal control authority shall deduct from the proceeds of sale all expenses of feeding and caring for the animal and all expense of advertising and selling the same, and shall retain the balance in reserve for six months from date of sale, and if unclaimed at the expiration of such period it shall revert to the animal control authority for operation of the shelter. No such money shall be paid any claimant except upon proof satisfactory to the animal control authority that they are entitled to the same. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.090 Disposal of wild domestic dogs or cats caught in traps.
If it can be established to the satisfaction of the animal control authority through information received that the domestic dog or cat has been living in the wild with no evidence of an owner, then it may be deemed wild or feral and euthanized immediately by the animal control authority. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).
7.08.100 Disposition of sick or injured animals.
Sick or injured animals may be euthanized prior to the expiration of any redemption period if such is in furtherance of the public health or necessary to prevent unnecessary suffering. When reasonably possible, the owner or keeper shall be notified prior to any such disposition. (Ord. 1750 § 5, 1999).