Chapter 7.03 ANIMAL CONTROL


Section 7.03.030 Impoundment and ticketing.

    1. An animal found at large shall be seized and impounded; or, at the discretion of the poundmaster or his designee, the owner may be served a citation and/or complaint to appear before the district associate court to answer charges made thereunder.
    2. Unlicensed dogs and cats and other household animals without a collar and valid rabies tag and any animals in excess of the number allowed by subsection 25.92.030(10) may be impounded. Unlicensed animals shall be selected for impoundment first. Thereafter, the owner shall designate the animals to be impounded. If the owner does not make a selection, the poundmaster shall select the animals to be impounded that are in excess of the number allowed.
    3. If the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the owner shall be notified within two days that, upon payment of impounding fees, plus cost of food and care, the animal will be returned.  If an impounded animal is not recovered by its owner within seven days, the animal shall be disposed of in a humane manner as authorized by law or made available for adoption.
    4. An impounded, unlicensed animal or an animal with no identification may be redeemed to the owner thereof upon:
        a. proof of ownership.
        b. payment of the board-and-keep fee, impoundment fee, and any other related costs incurred by the city.
        c. presentation of the city license for the current year, if required by law, or by purchasing such license which shall not be issued until proof of a current rabies vaccination is presented.
        d. showing proof in the form of a certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian that such animal has been properly vaccinated for rabies, if required by law, or by posting a twenty-dollar vaccination bond which will be refunded if a rabies vaccination is obtained. Application for vaccination-bond redemption and for refund of the bond must be made within five business days of the posting of the bond. Failure of the owner to redeem such bond shall be prima facie proof that vaccination has not been obtained as required by Section 7.04.010.  (Ord. 2005-0217; 96/U-4368; 89/T-8057; 82/T-1235)