ARTICLE 2.02 ANIMAL SHELTER/ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Tagged or microchipped impounded animals shall be kept for not more than 120 hours. Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within 120 hours shall become the property of the city and shall become available for adoption in a suitable home or humanely euthanized.

Not tagged or microchipped impounded dogs and cats, other domestic animals and livestock shall be kept for not more than 72 hours after which time they become the property of the city.

Wild animals, including feral cats, cats, dogs or other animals may be kept at the discretion of the local Game Warden or designee.

Sick or injured animals wearing no apparent identification through which ownership can be determined may be kept zero to 72 hours at the discretion of the animal shelter supervisor or designee.

If, by a collar tag, micro-chip or other means the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the shelter shall immediately upon impoundment notify the owner by direct contact, telephone, email, or other reasonable means.

An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay all impounding fees and boarding fees according to the fee schedule. If no proof of a current rabies vaccination can be produced, the animal control officer, or an animal shelter operator may issue a citation for violation of this law. Impounding and boarding fees will increase with each impoundment occurring within a twelve-month (12) period.

The capture of unrestrained and public nuisance animals and confinement of them in a humane manner at the shelter.

To capture and impound/quarantine any livestock, fowl, cats, dogs, or other animals found at large or stray within the city limits and to enforce all provisions of this chapter.

The capture and/or impoundment of animals that pose a threat to public health and safety, any wild animal kept illegally or animals that have been cruelly treated or abused.

Issuing a citation to the owner of an animal found to be at large. A person who is convicted of owning an animal at large shall pay a fine as established by the city municipal court. Subsequent convictions of this subsection within a twelve-month (12) period shall increase from the minimum applicable fine.

For purposes of discharging the duties imposed by the provisions of this chapter or other applicable laws, and to enforce the same, the animal control officer may enter upon private property to the full extent permitted by law, which shall include but not be limited to entry upon private unfenced property when in pursuit of any animal which is believed to be subject to impoundment pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or other applicable laws.