§ 4-47. Disposition and disposal of animals

(a) Any unlicensed or unidentified animal impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be held for at least one hundred sixty-eight (168) hours (seven (7) days), not including weekends or legal holidays.

(b) For any identified domestic animal, the holding period shall be one hundred sixty-eight (168) hours (seven (7) days) not including weekends or legal holidays, during which time reasonable attempts have been made to notify the owner or keeper.

(c) Should any impounded animal be suffering from serious injury, illness or disease that would endanger the other shelter animals or cause the animals to endure unnecessary pain and suffering if left untreated or if any impounded animal is feral or wild and thereby humane care and confinement is not possible or poses a threat to caretakers, the animal may be destroyed before the expiration of the required holding period. Such cases must be carefully documented in writing by the animal control agency and be approved by either a licensed veterinarian or director.

(d) Any animal not redeemed by its owner during the prescribed period, may be humanely destroyed by lethal injection, or placed for adoption to a new owner, provided that the new owner agrees in writing to surgically sterilize any cat or dog within one (1) month or upon maturity and to provide proper identification in the case of a dog.

(e) The director of the animal control agency shall have the right to deny adoption to any person of any unredeemed animal if it cannot be determined that placement would be in the best interest of the animal or the community.

(f) No live animal shall be used, sold or donated for experimental purposes.

(Ord. of 3-15-10)