§ 3-37. Emergency situations/escape.

(a)

Any inherently dangerous animal, permitted or not permitted, which has escaped and is loose in the general public may be immediately taken up and impounded by the animal control officer for the protection and health of the animal and/or for the protection of the public.

(b)

If the inherently dangerous animal can not be safely impounded, the animal control officer shall have the authority to tranquilize the animal immediately.

(c)

If the inherently dangerous animal poses an immediate danger to the health and safety of any person or property, the animal control officer shall have the authority to destroy the animal immediately.

(d)

If an inherently dangerous animal is impounded pursuant to this section the owner or keeper of the animal shall be notified by the animal control officer in person or by certified mail.

(e)

Any animal impounded pursuant to this section will be held five days for the owner to reclaim pursuant to this section.

(f)

The owner or keeper of the animal can reclaim the animal if the person can satisfy the animal control officer that a safe transfer of the animal to an appropriate location outside the county has been arranged, or if the animal is permitted pursuant to section 3-33, the owner satisfies the animal control officer that the primary and secondary enclosures are sufficient to contain the animal.

(g)

If no owner or keeper can be located or will claim the animal within five days after impoundment, the animal control officer may sell, transfer, or euthanize the animal at the discretion of the animal control officer.

(h)

All costs of impoundment and care of the animal will be charged to its owner or keeper regardless of whether the animal is claimed by or returned to said owner or keeper, and in the event the animal is reclaimed, such costs shall be paid in full prior to the owner or keeper reclaiming the animal pursuant to this section.

(Ord. of 3-13-00)