§ 6.04.110. Impounding of animals.

A.

Animals to be impounded. The city police department shall place all animals which it takes into custody to the district animal shelter or another designated animal impound facility. The following animals may be taken into custody by the animal regulation officer and impounded without the filing of a complaint:

1.

Any vicious animal not properly confined as required by this chapter or other applicable law.

2.

Any animal running at large.

3.

Any animal that is required by this chapter to be licensed and is not licensed. [Any animal not wearing tag shall be presumed to be unlicensed for purposes of this section, except those dogs specifically exempted.]

4.

Sick or injured animals whose owners cannot be located.

5.

Any abandoned animal.

6.

Animals that are not wearing a rabies vaccination tag in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

7.

Any animal to be held for quarantine.

8.

Any animal being kept or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter.

B.

Records to be kept. The city police department shall keep the following records of any animal impounded thereby:

1.

A complete description of the animal, including tag numbers.

2.

Manner and date of impound.

3.

Location of the pickup and name of the officer picking up the animal.

4.

Manner and date of transport to the District Animal Shelter or other designated animal impound facility.

C.

Disposition of animals. The city police department shall immediately deliver all animal taken into custody to the district animal shelter or other designated animal impound facility for impound. Animals will be treated, and disposed of, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the district.

D.

Notice to owner. Upon receipt of a lost or stray animal bearing a current year's license tag, the city police department shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of any animal wearing a license or other identification. It shall immediately telephone or mail to the owner of record, at the address indicated on the license form, a notice of the animal's location. Notice shall be deemed given when sent to the last known address of the listed owner.

E.

Holding period. The city police department and/or the district shall hold an impounded lost or stray dog or cat for not less than three working days if it was not wearing a current year's license tag when impounded and for not less than five working days after notice is given pursuant to this chapter if it was wearing a current year's license tag, so that the owner or custodian may claim it prior to other disposition.

F.

Redemption by owner. The owner of an impounded animal may claim or redeem such animal, prior to its legal disposition, pursuant to the policies and procedures of the North Utah Valley Animal Services Special Service District ("the district"), by providing proper identification, meeting all the legal and procedural requirements, and paying the applicable redemption fees for impoundment, board, medical care, vaccination, and/or other costs.

G.

Disposal of unredeemed animals. The city police department and/or the district, may humanely dispose of, or transfer to a new owner upon payment of the applicable fee, any impounded animal not claimed by its owner or custodian within the prescribed holding time. Animals relinquished by their owners may be humanely destroyed without regard to the prescribed holding time to alleviate suffering or to protect other impounded animals from exposure to a contagious disease.

(Criminal Code, § 13-1428; Ord. No. 1979-8, § 1(part), 1979; Ord. No. 82-1-12A, § 1, 1982; Ord. No. 85-12-30, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 2005-10-55, § IV, 10-25-2005)