Chapter 6.08 - ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION ADMINISTRATION

Part of the Code of Ordinances of South Salt Lake, UT.

Local law · Updated May 27, 2026 · 1,732 sections

The text

6.08.010 - Animal control division.#

The city of South Salt Lake shall have an animal control division within the urban livability department.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.020 - Powers of animal control officials.#

The supervisor or any person employed by the division as an animal control officer is vested with the power and authority to enforce this chapter, as well as any other violations of city code or state law.

The supervisor, deputies, assistants and officers are authorized and empowered to apprehend, take custody of, and impound any animal found in violation of this chapter, including animals for which no license has been procured in accordance with this chapter.

In the enforcement of this chapter, any peace officer, the supervisor or a designee, when there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred or is occurring, are authorized to enter onto the premises of any person to take possession of any animal in violation of this chapter. Such authority shall enable animals to be retrieved from any area of a person's property if it is necessary to impound an animal for failure by the owner of such animal to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Animal control officers who are denied access to a property may apply for a warrant to enter property and seize animals or other evidence, in accordance with Utah law.

The supervisor, deputies, assistants and officers shall charge applicable service fees as set by resolution of the city council and shall not have the authority to modify, reduce, alter, waive, increase or change applicable fees.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.030 - Duties of animal control officials.#

The supervisor shall:

Enforce this chapter and perform other responsibilities pursuant thereto;

Supervise the municipal animal shelter(s);

Keep adequate records of all animals impounded and all moneys collected;

See that all animals and animal holding facilities in the city are licensed, controlled and permitted in accordance with any applicable statute, ordinance and/or regulations;

Establish, in cooperation with the Salt Lake City/County board of health and other interested governmental agencies, adequate measures for rabies immunization and control.

Each animal control officer shall:

Enforce this chapter in all respects pertaining to animal control within the city including the care and impounding of animals and prevention of cruelty to animals;

Carry out all duties prescribed or delegated by the supervisor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.040 - Interference with officer prohibited.#

It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to interfere with the supervisor or any animal control officer in the lawful discharge of that official's duties.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.050 - Animal shelter.#

The city shall provide, or arrange to have provided, suitable premises and facilities to be used as an animal shelter where impounded animals can be adequately kept.

The city shall provide for the painless and humane destruction of animals required to be destroyed by this title or by the laws of the state of Utah.

The city may furnish, when necessary and feasible, medical treatment for such animals as may be impounded pursuant to this chapter.

The city shall sterilize animals according to the requirements of this title and the laws of the state of Utah.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.060 - Impounding—Animals to be impounded.#

An animal control officer shall place all animals taken into custody in a designated animal impound facility.

The following animals may be taken into custody without the filing of a complaint:

Any animal being kept or maintained contrary to the provisions of this title;

Any animal running at large contrary to the provisions of this title;

Any animal which is not licensed, when such an animal is required to be licensed under the provisions of this title; however, any dog which is not wearing a tag is presumed to be unlicensed until an owner is identified;

Sick or injured animals whose owner cannot be located;

Any abandoned animal;

Animals which are not vaccinated for rabies in accordance with the requirements of this title;

Any animal which must be held for quarantine; and

Any vicious animal not properly confined as provided in Section 6.16.030.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.070 - Impound records.#

The impounding facility shall keep a record of each animal impounded, including: A.

Description of the animal;

Tag numbers or microchip data, if available;

The location of the pickup and name of the officer collecting the animal;

The manner and date of disposition;

The name and address of the redeemer or purchaser;

The name and address of any person relinquishing an animal to the impound facility;

All fees received; and

All expenses accrued during impoundment.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.080 - Disposition of animals.#

Five-day Holding Period. Animals may be impounded for up to five business days before further disposition, except as otherwise provided herein. Reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner of an animal which is wearing a license or tagged with a microchip. Notice is deemed given when sent to the last address of the listed owner kept in animal control records. A failure to reach the owner does not extend the five-day holding period.

Relinquishment. A property owner may voluntarily relinquish an animal to an animal control officer or the shelter. Immediately upon relinquishment, these animals may be destroyed, placed for adoption, relocated or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Utah law, without the traditional five-day holding period.

All animals, except those quarantined or confined by court order, held longer than the minimum impound period may be destroyed, placed, relocated or sold as the animal control officer directs.

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

When in the judgment of the animal control supervisor, it is determined that because of serious illness or injury an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons or that it is necessary to destroy an animal 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. The division shall promulgate policies to determine whether such a disposition is necessary.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.090 - Bond for impoundment beyond five days.#

If an animal is impounded for neglect, cruelty, viciousness, destruction, removal, quarantine after biting a person or animal, or for revocation of an owner's license, then the owner is required to post a bond for the costs of boarding and caring for the animal.

Failure to provide such a bond within five days of impoundment constitutes abandonment of the animal. Upon occurrence of abandonment, the animal(s) shall become the property of the city, and all decisions regarding the disposition of the animal rest solely with the city.

A thirty-day bond is required for any appeal from a removal/destruction determination, covering the cost of boarding and care pending the hearing.

Amounts received by the city in excess of the fees due for the board and care of the animal shall be refunded by the city upon expiration of the order of impoundment, or may be applied to fines or fees owed by the owner to the city.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.100 - Sterilization requirements—Adopted animals.#

An animal control officer may not transfer an unaltered animal through adoption, except as provided in this section.

The supervisor may authorize the direct transfer of an animal to a veterinarian for purposes of sterilization, if the owner makes the request, the veterinarian has been retained to alter the animal, and the owner promises to provide proof of sterilization within ten (10) days of adoption.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.110 - Sterilization of animals impounded on multiple occasions.#

An owner whose animal has been impounded by the animal control division on more than one occasion may not redeem the animal unless the owner pays all impound fees and:

Receipt of proof that the animal was sterilized; or

A sterilization deposit.

The sterilization deposit shall be refunded to the owner only if the owner provides proof of sterilization within thirty (30) days of release of the animal to the owner.

If an animal has been impounded on a fourth occasion and has not been sterilized, then the city may only release the animal into the custody of a veterinarian who has been retained to sterilize the animal.

The disposition of forfeited sterilization deposits shall be in accordance with state law.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.120 - Redeeming impounded animals.#

An owner of an impounded animal may redeem the animal if the owner does so before disposition, and if the owner pays:

The impound fee (impoundment of animals on multiple occasions are subject to increased fees as set forth in the consolidated fee schedule);

Daily board charges;

Any veterinary costs incurred during impoundment, including rabies vaccination;

License fees, if required by the code; and

A sterilization deposit, if required by Section 6.08.100 or 6.06.110.

Impound fees shall be established in the consolidated fee schedule, and may be divided into categories based upon species or size.

No impound fee is assessed if an owner reports a suspicion of rabies in the owner's animal, in compliance with this chapter, unless the suspected animal bit another animal or person.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.130 - Disposal of animals.#

The division shall have the authority to dispose of animals as set forth in this title or when requested by the owner of the animal. The fee for such service shall be set forth in the consolidated fee schedule.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.08.140 - Adoption fee reduction or discount.#

The director may offer reductions, discounts, or fee-free adoption promotions, subject to the conditions and restrictions of this section.

Promotions under this section shall comply with the following:

The promotion shall be available to all members of the public; and

Promotions shall be advertised at the shelter and on the city's website at least two weeks before the promotion begins.

The director shall take the following into consideration when offering a promotion:

The volume of animals currently in the shelter;

Promotions offered by surrounding agencies; and

Budgetary considerations related to the maintenance of animals at the shelter.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)