Section 7.03.060 Injured animals at large.

1. In the event that an injured animal, licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7.04, is found at large, the poundmaster or his designee may cause the animal to be darted, if necessary, and may take the animal into custody. Upon taking an injured animal into custody, the poundmaster or his designee shall notify the animal's owner of its location and condition. Upon being so notified, the owner of such animal shall either immediately take custody of such animal or cause the animal to be transported to a veterinarian.

2. In the event the injured animal is unlicensed, or in the event that the city manager or his designee is unable to determine the ownership of the animal, or is unable to contact the owner, or should the owner refuse to either take custody of such injured animal or cause it to be transported to a veterinarian, the poundmaster or his designee shall impound such animal. The poundmaster may transport the injured animal to the nearest available veterinarian for treatment.

3. If an injured animal at large cannot be darted and it displays vicious tendencies which would make its capture by any other means unduly hazardous, law enforcement, the poundmaster or his designee may cause the immediate destruction of such animal.

4. In the event that an animal is found at large so seriously injured as to make its recovery improbable or unlikely, law enforcement, the poundmaster or his designee may, in his discretion, immediately destroy such animal in a humane manner in the interest of humane treatment.

5. In the event that the poundmaster or his designee transports an injured animal to the nearest available veterinarian pursuant to the foregoing, he shall thereupon offer to give custody of said animal to the veterinarian for treatment at the veterinarian's cost. In the event that the veterinarian refuses to take custody of such animal and advises that it would be humane to destroy it, the poundmaster or his designee shall immediately destroy said animal in a humane manner in the interests of humane treatment.

6. After an animal has been humanely destroyed under this section, the animal shall be subject to autopsy by local or state health officials to determine the cause of said animal's injuries or viciousness. (Ord. 2005-0217; 82/T-1235)