Title 6 - ANIMALS >> Chapter 6.06 - DOG REGULATION AND LICENSING >> Article IV. - Impoundment of Dogs >>

Article IV. - Impoundment of Dogs

6.06.250 - Impoundment of dogs.

6.06.260 - Interference with impounding.

6.06.270 - Notice of impoundment.

6.06.280 - Recovery of impounded dog.

6.06.290 - Disposition of dogs.

6.06.300 - Remittance of fees and charges.


6.06.250 - Impoundment of dogs.

Dogs found or reasonably believed to be kept in violation of any part of this chapter may be impounded by the department or its officer, or by the town; provided, that if a complaint identifying the dog owner of a dog at large, a barking dog or unlicensed dog is received and the dog owner can be immediately located, said dog shall be left with the dog owner and a summons and notice to appear in regard to the violation maybe issued to said dog owner.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)

6.06.260 - Interference with impounding.

It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, delay or otherwise impede any officer or enforcing official in the enforcement of this chapter as herein provided. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)

6.06.270 - Notice of impoundment.

A.   Within twenty-four (24) hours or by the end of the next business day, whichever is later, after the impounding of any dog, the department or its designee shall mail a written notice to the dog owner of the impoundment of such dog and the terms upon which such dog can be released, and also of the consequence of failure to obtain the release of any dog within any applicable time limits.
B.   If the owner of any impounded dog is unknown, then the department or its designee shall, within the twenty-four (24) hours of impoundment or by the end of the next business day, whichever is later, post at the animal shelter a notice of impoundment describing the dog.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)

6.06.280 - Recovery of impounded dog.

A.   A dog wearing a tag issued by the town or a registered tattoo may be recovered within five business days of impoundment. Dogs not wearing a said tag or tattoo may be recovered within three business days of impoundment. Injured or sick dogs shall be exempt from these recovery periods.
B.   Dogs may be recovered only by a person who offers satisfactory proof of ownership or authorization to obtain custody of the dog and who pays all applicable charges incurred for the impoundment, said charges as established by the department or town.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)

6.06.290 - Disposition of dogs.

A.   A dog which has not been recovered within the applicable time frame after impoundment as set forth in this chapter may be sold or destroyed.
B.   A dog voluntarily given to the department by the dog owner for the purpose of disposal may be sold or destroyed forthwith without awaiting expiration of a recovery period.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)

6.06.300 - Remittance of fees and charges.

Where dogs are impounded in an animal shelter maintained by a private organization under contract with the department or town, the impoundment charge and any additional charges ensuing from the keeping of an impounded dog shall be paid by the dog owner to the animal shelter, if said owner can be identified. The sale price of any impounded dogs sold shall be remitted to the county for deposit in the dog control fund.

(Ord. 623 § 2 (part), 2006)