§ 6-153. Return of captured animal to owner.

(a)

In addition to the issuance of a citation, the animal care officer may return an animal found at large to the known owner in lieu of impounding the animal.

(b)

The owner may redeem an impounded animal during normal business hours by paying the impoundment fee, sterilization fees if any, boarding fees, and the pre-release rabies vaccination fee if required by law for the subject species and proof of valid current vaccination cannot be produced.

(c)

On the first impound, of an intact dog or cat found at large, the department shall require the owner to enter into an agreement to sterilize the dog or cat before releasing it back to its owner, unless the owner possesses or obtains a valid intact dog or cat license for the animal. If an owner enters into a sterilization agreement, the owner shall provide proof of sterilization of the animal to the department within thirty (30) days from the date of the agreement.

(d)

On the second impound of a dog found at large, the intact dog license shall be revoked if applicable, and the owner shall agree to sterilize the dog, unless the dog qualifies for a certified medical exception from a licensed veterinarian, the dog is an exhibition or competition dog, or the dog is a police or military service dog. Owners of exhibition or competition dogs and police or military service dogs shall provide proof to the director or authorized designee. Under the sterilization agreement, the owner shall provide proof of sterilization of the dog to the department within thirty (30) days from the date of the agreement.

(e)

On the second impound of an intact cat found at large, the department shall sterilize the cat prior to releasing it back to its owner at the owner's expense, or require the owner of an intact cat to enter into an agreement to sterilize the cat before releasing it back to its owner, unless the cat qualifies for a certified medical exception from a licensed veterinarian, or the cat is an exhibition or competition cat. Owners of exhibition or competition cats shall provide proof to the director or authorized designee. If an owner enters into a sterilization agreement, the owner shall provide proof of sterilization of the cat to the department within thirty (30) days from the date of the agreement.

(f)

On the third impound of an animal found at large it shall become the property of the city, and shall be subject to adoption, rescue, foster or humane euthanasia at the discretion of the director or his designee.

(Ord. No. 2018-20, § 1, 8-13-2018)