§ 10-87. Impoundment of dangerous dogs.

(a)

Apprehension and surrender. Upon an initial determination of a dog as potentially dangerous or upon registration of a dog to be dangerous, or if the director has reasonable suspicion to believe that a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is being kept or harbored within the territorial jurisdiction of this chapter in violation of it or of a permit issued hereunder, animal control officers and law enforcement officers of the county and of any municipality subject to this chapter shall impound such dog. It shall be a violation of this article to fail or refuse to surrender such dog to such officers upon their lawful demand. The officer impounding such a dog shall deliver the same to the department's shelter.

(b)

Surrender. Hiding, removing or failing to surrender a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog, or impeding any investigation concerning the same, shall be a violation of this article.

(c)

Confinement. A dog impounded by or surrendered to an animal control officer or law enforcement officer as provided herein shall be confined in the department's shelter or, upon request of the owner hereunder, and at such person's expense, at a private veterinary facility or kennel approved by the director, subject to the following conditions:

(1)

Costs of impoundment. Impoundment shall be at the expense of the owner of the dog. Costs of impoundment at the department's shelter shall be paid by the person liable therefor at the daily rate. The costs of impoundment at a veterinary facility or kennel shall be paid by the person liable therefor pursuant to the terms of the agreement between such person and the proprietor of such facility or kennel. In no event shall the county or any municipality subject to this chapter be liable for or pay for impoundment at such private facility or kennel.

(2)

Release from impoundment. No such dog shall be released from impoundment as provided herein except upon registration of such dog and issuance of a permit or temporary permit allowing such release. No such dog shall be released from the department's shelter until costs of confinement of such dog, any registration and permit fees for such dog, and any civil penalties assessed in connection with such dog have been paid in full.

(3)

Disposition of unclaimed or abandoned dogs. The following dogs impounded at the department's shelter pursuant to this article shall be deemed abandoned and shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the department:

a.

Any dog which remains unclaimed by its owner for a period of more than ten days or a period of lawful quarantine, whichever is longer; and

b.

Any dog claimed by its owner which is confined for a period in excess of ten days, or a period o lawful quarantine, whichever is longer, during which no application has been made for a permit or temporary permit; provided, however, the director shall extend such time upon a showing of justifiable delay in such action by the owner.

(Ord. of 3-11-2015, § 10-37)