Chapter 5.08
STOCK AT LARGE – POUND

Sections:

5.08.010    Stock running at large – Prohibited.

5.08.030    Poundkeeper – Appointment and term.

5.08.040    Impounding – Procedure.

5.08.050    Delivery to owner – Must pay costs – Amounts.

5.08.060    Poundkeeper – Duty to feed and water impounded animals.

5.08.070    Unclaimed animals – Procedure.

5.08.080    Permitting stock to run at large – Penalty.

5.08.010 Stock running at large – Prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any horse, mare, cow, mule, ass, swine or goat to run at large within the corporate limits of the city of Ritzville. (Ord. 86 § 1, 1900).

5.08.030 Poundkeeper – Appointment and term.

A poundkeeper shall be appointed by the mayor to serve during the pleasure of the council. (Ord. 1092 § 99, 2005; Ord. 86 § 3, 1900).

5.08.040 Impounding – Procedure.

It shall be the duty of the chief of police, whenever any such horse, mare, cow, mule, ass, swine or goat shall be found running at large within the corporate limits of the city, to take up the same and place it in said pound and to notify the owner thereof in writing within 24 hours thereafter, if the owner is known, and if the owner is not known, to give notice by posting in three public places in said city for six days. (Ord. 86 § 4, 1900).

5.08.050 Delivery to owner – Must pay costs – Amounts.

Before any animal, which shall have been impounded, as provided in RCC 5.08.040, shall be delivered to the owner thereof such owner shall pay to the poundkeeper having custody of the same the sums set forth in RCC 5.20.180. (Ord. 1092 § 100, 2005; Ord. 86 § 4, 1900).

5.08.060 Poundkeeper – Duty to feed and water impounded animals.

It shall be the duty of poundkeeper to feed and water the impounded animals in a suitable and humane manner. (Ord. 86 § 5, 1900).

5.08.070 Unclaimed animals – Procedure.

If the owner of the impounded animal or animals shall fail to claim the animal and pay the charges and costs as provided in this chapter, within three days after receiving such notice in writing, or within five days from the posting of the notice, it shall be the duty of the chief of police of the city to offer the animal or animals for sale after first having given due notice of the time and place of the sale, containing a description of the animal, and reciting that the same was found running at large within the corporate limits of the city, by posting notices thereof in three of the most public places in the city for a period of 10 days; and shall apply the proceeds first to the costs and charges of impounding, keeping and selling of the animal, and the balance if any there be shall be paid into the city treasury for the use of the city. (Ord. 86 § 6, 1900).

5.08.080 Permitting stock to run at large – Penalty.

If the owner or person in charge of any such horse, mare, cow, mule, ass, swine or goat shall knowingly and willfully permit the same to run at large within the corporate limits of the city he shall be deemed to have committed a civil infraction punishable in accordance with RCC 1.02.010, General penalty. (Ord. 1092 § 101, 2005; Ord. 86 § 7, 1900).