§ 8-16-7. Impoundment and redemption of dogs.

A.

Impoundment .

1.

First impoundment.

a.

Any dog not wearing a current license tag required by this title or running at large in violation of this title shall be apprehended and incarcerated in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known. Such dog shall be held for at least three business days during which time the owner may redeem or repossess the same upon payment for, or presentation of, a current license therefor, and payment of $80.00, plus $15.00 for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public. If not reclaimed or redeemed by the owner within such time, the animal will become the property of the shelter and the animal may be designated for adoption, as provided for in section 8-16-8, or humanely put to death as soon as practicable thereafter.

2.

Second impoundment.

a.

Should a dog belonging to the same owner be picked up for a second time within two years of the date of the first offense, the owner may redeem and repossess the dog upon presentation of a current license thereof and payment of $150.00, plus $15.00 for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public.

3.

Third impoundment.

a.

Should a dog belonging to the same owner be picked up for a third time within three years of the date of the first offense, the administrator of the animal shelter, or his or her agent, will serve a summons upon the owner of the animal. The owner shall also be liable for a penalty of not less than $225.00 to defray the cost of capture of the animal and protection of the public, with a boarding fee of $15.00 per day being charged.

B.

Sterilization at the animal shelter. When an owner is reclaiming an animal that is not spayed or neutered and the owner chooses to sterilize the animal pursuant to this section, the owner will be given the option of having the animal sterilized at the animal shelter by the staff veterinarian when such person is available.

(Code 1967, § 7-41; Code 1985, § 5-61; Ord. No. 3189, § 1, 3-9-1982; Ord. No. 3973, § 1(4), 6-26-1990; Ord. No. 4247, § 3, 4-5-1994; Ord. No. 4506, § 1, 9-16-1997; Ord. No. 5214, §§ 1, 11, 9-7-2007; Ord. No. 5433, § 1, 1-3-2012)