6.08.080 - Disposition of animals.

A.

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.

B.

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.

C.

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.

D.

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.

E.

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)