8-7-3. Disposition of animals.

(1) Animals shall be impounded for a minimum of 72 hours before further disposition, except as otherwise provided herein. Reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner of any animal wearing a license or other identification during that time. Notice shall be deemed given when sent to the last known address of the listed owner. Any animal voluntarily relinquished to the animal control facility by the owner thereof for destruction or other disposition need not be kept for the minimum holding period before release or other disposition as herein provided.

(2) All dogs and cats, except for those quarantined or confined by court order, held longer than the minimum impound period, and all dogs and cats voluntarily relinquished to the impound facility may be destroyed or sold as the animal control officer shall direct. Any healthy dog or cat may be sold to any person desiring to purchase such animal for a price to be determined by the animal control officer, but not to exceed $30.00 per animal, plus license and vaccination fees, if required.

(3) Any unlicensed animal impounded and having or suspected of having serious physical injury or contagious disease requiring medical attention, may, in the discretion of the animal control officer, be released to the care of a veterinarian with the consent of the owner.

(4) When, in the judgment of the animal control officer, it is determined that an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons or to protect the public from imminent danger to persons or property, such animal may be destroyed without regard to any time limitations otherwise established herein, and without court order. (Ord. 95-19, 9/12/95; Ord. 92-5, 9/1/ 1992)