The text
(a)
Any dog found running at large shall be taken up by the animal control officer and impounded in the shelter designated as the animal shelter. Such dogs shall be confined in the animal shelter in a humane manner for a period of not less than five days and may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner if not claimed by the owners. Dogs not claimed by the owners after the expiration of five days may be disposed of at the discretion of the animal control officer, except as hereinafter provided for in the cases of certain dogs.
(b)
The animal control officer may transfer title of any dog held at the animal shelter to the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals after the legal detention period has expired and such dog has not been claimed by its owner.
(c)
When dogs are found running at large and their ownership is known to the animal control officer, such dogs need not be impounded, but such officer may cite the owners of such dogs in accordance with section 3-16.
(d)
Immediately upon impounding dogs, the animal control officer shall make every possible, reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs so impounded and to inform those owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of their dogs.
(Ch. 449, § I, 5-6-08)
State Law reference— Authority to impound, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-15.1; penalties and requirements for vicious dogs, G.L. 1956, § 4-13.1-9.