§ 10.24.010. Impounding dogs and cats ferrets and pet rabbits and potbellied pigs.

Every dog or cat or ferret or pet rabbit or potbellied pig found running at large, or without a numbered vaccination tag, owner identification tag or microchip as required by this title, or in violation of any section of this title, shall be subject to impoundment by the animal control officer at the animal shelter and, if impounded, shall be kept at the animal shelter for a period of at least seventy-two hours if not sooner released to its owner. The foregoing does not but the following does apply to cats. If an owner comes to reclaim his animal with insufficient proof of ownership, the owner must leave a ten dollar deposit and will be given an additional twenty-four hours to provide sufficient proof of ownership, and the animal shall not be euthanized during that twenty-four-hour period. Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, an impounded animal may be euthanized at any time if severely injured, diseased, or suffering.

No dog or cat or ferret or pet rabbit or potbellied pig so impounded shall be released if the ownership of the dog or cat or ferret or pet rabbit or potbellied pig is proven within that period of time as specified in this section except where there has been a performance of the following conditions:

(a)

If the animal is sterilized, or the owner has obtained a current exemption from sterilization for the animal, the owner shall be able to remove it upon the payment of an impound charge of twenty-five dollars for the first confinement, fifty dollars for the second confinement, and one hundred dollars for the third and any subsequent confinement thereafter. Proof of sterilization must be provided if requested by the animal control officer or animal shelter fees collected for impounds of dogs and cats and ferrets and pet rabbits and potbellied pigs shall be held by the county in a special fund for the purpose of providing assistance for not for profit animal welfare programs, including but not limited to, sterilization.

(b)

If the dog or cat or ferret or pet rabbit or potbellied pig is not sterilized, or the owner has not obtained a current exemption from sterilization for the animal, or the owner fails to provide adequate proof of sterilization to the animal control officer or animal shelter, the owner shall be able to remove it upon the sterilization of the animal with payment to the animal shelter for such service and payment of an impound fee of one hundred dollars for the first confinement and two hundred dollars for subsequent confinements. Fees collected for impounds of dogs and cats and ferrets and pet rabbits and potbellied pigs shall be held by the county in a special fund for the purpose of providing assistance for not for profit animal welfare programs, including but not limited to, sterilization.

(c)

The owner shall pay a board charge of ten dollars for each twenty-four hours or portion thereof for the maintenance of the impounded animal.

(d)

The owner shall provide proof of a current rabies vaccination tag for dogs and cats and ferrets or he shall pay the animal shelter for a vaccination tag.

(e)

The owner shall provide proof that the dog or cat or ferret or pet rabbit or potbellied pig has been implanted with a microchip identification device or he shall pay the animal shelter for the microchip and implantation.

(f)

When an officer takes possession of an animal, he shall give to the owner, if the owner can be found, a notice containing a written statement of the reasons for the taking, the location where the animal will be cared for and sheltered, and the fact that there is a lien on the animal for the cost of shelter and care. If the owner is not present at the taking and the officer cannot find the owner after a reasonable search, he shall post the notice on the property from which he takes the animal. If the identity and address of the owner is later determined, the animal shelter will document that at least three personal attempts were made to notify the owner.

(Ord. 2088 § 36, 1998: Ord. 1107 § 19, 1988: Ord. 1023 § 7 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 3877, § 7, 6-15-2010; Ord. No. 4355, § 9, 11-18-2015)