Amending Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code Animal & Fowl

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SECTION II . That Chapter 5 , Article 6 , of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend is amended to read as follows: Section 5-33 . Impounding procedures. (a) All animals found to be large, stray or being a nuisance may be taken by the police, animal control officer, or humane officer and impounded. (b) If any dangerous, ferocious or vicious animal found at large cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such animal may be tranquilized, slain or humanely euthanized to prevent undue suffering, by a police officer, animal control officer or humane officer. (c) Impounded dogs without City tags ( licenses) must be kept for a reasonable period of time but not less than two ( 2) days, excluding Sunday, before being adopted out or euthanized after their impoundment. (d) Impounded dogs with City tags ( licenses) shall be kept for not less than five ( 5) days, excluding Sunday, to permit their owners to claim them. After the expiration period of time has elapsed, these dogs may be placed for adoption or euthanized if their owners have not claimed and paid the required fees. (e) All other impounded animals (except dogs which are specifically covered herein) shall be under the authority of the animal shelter. The animal shall be held at least one ( 1) day, after which time the animal shelter shall have the authority to take whatever action is necessary with regard to adoption or euthanasia for such animals. (f) An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay to blue-amimai-shelter-a-fee-ef-fifteen-debars-f$I5-88}-pits seven-deiiars-f ftapeumeled-fer-feed7-15eard7-arid-reiated-expensesT-bearel aril-reiateel-expenses- to the City or its designee the appropriate redemption fee, total daily boarding fee, and any expenses incurred for routine vaccinations of the animal, veterinary services, all applicable permit and licensing fees, and any other charge reasonably necessary and incurred for the benefit of the animal. (g) No unlicensed dog shall be released from an animal shelter without a license being issued in accordance with this eChapter, including the prepayment of the appropriate licensing fee and, in the case of American Pit Bull Terrier or any other potentially dangerous dog, the license application requirments of Section 5-27(b) . However, because proof of current, effective rabies vaccination is required before the license may be issued, if the shelter does not have licensed veterinarian services on site to administer the required rabies vaccination, the dog may be released upon presentation by the dog owner of a receipt showing prepayment of a veterinarian' s charges for such vaccination, and must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian within forty-eight ( 48) hours, excluding Sundays, after such release, and the owner shall supply proof of the same to said shelter within seventy-two ( 72) hours after the release, at which time the license tag shall be issued. Failure of the animal owner to obtain such vaccination after such release shall constitute a breach of the release agreement and entitle the City or its designee