05-16-13 SBACC Special Commitee - 2013 Ordinance Revisions

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No person shall interfere with an Animal Control Officer in the pursuit of his/her duties as an officer. ('74 Code, § 6-4(28)) (Ord. G-20-90, passed 8-28-90; Am. Ord. G-18-03, passed 5-27-03) Penalty, see § 91.999 § 91.107 IMPOUNDMENT; REDEMPTION. (A)Animals found in cruel, abusive or neglectful situations, animals trained, bred or kept for the purpose of animal fighting, animals considered dangerous, animals abandoned as a result of owner arrest, or animals that have been abandoned may be promptly seized, provided, however, that the Animal Control Officer shall leave written notice. (B)Animals so removed will be impounded and held at the Department of Animal Control or a designated facility, provided, however, that in no event shall this period exceed five calendar days, at which time the animal shall become the property of the Department of Animal Control. An animal may be held longer if an extension is necessary for the Animal Control Officer to have ample time to prepare a court case if prosecution is warranted, or a request for a bond has been filed as provided in division (E). In the case of animals impounded for quarantine at the Department of Animal Control, the animal will become the property of the department if not claimed by closing time of the department on the eleventh day of the quarantine.Owners requesting quarantine but failing to claimanimals at the end of the quarantine period will be responsible for all medical, quarantine, and euthanasia fees. (C)Animals impounded for reasons of tragedy beyond the control of the owner, such as but not limited to house fire or death of the owner, will be held for seven calendar days during which time a reasonable effort will be made to contact the owner and/or their representative to make reclaim or alternative housing arrangements.After the seventh day of impoundment, the animals will become the property of the Department of Animal Control. (D)Animals awaiting disposition by the courts shall remain in the custody of the Department of Animal Control, unless such disposition is made, or placed in a foster home until legal arrangements have been completed. (E)(1)Pursuant to impoundment of an animal under division (A), the Department of Animal Care and Control may file a petition with the court requesting that the owner or custodian of the animal post a bond to cover the costs of care of the animal while it is in the custody of the department. This petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit or statement of the department that sets forth an estimate of the reasonable expenses that the department expects to incur providing for that care. Reasonable expenses include but are not limited to the estimated cost of veterinary care, food and board for the animal. The owner or custodian of the animal shall be provided written notice of the petition by personal service or certified mail. Any such mail shall be sent to the last known residence, or, if this address is not known, such notice shall be sent to the address from which the animal was seized. Refusal to accept certified mail or failure to receive mail due to other delays will not negate this section.