The text
13-501. - Impoundment Authorized.#
(1)
The Animal Services Division shall place all animals which are taken into custody in a designated animal impound facility.
(2)
The following animals may be taken into custody and impounded as deemed necessary:
(a)
Any animal being kept or maintained contrary to the provisions of this Title;
(b)
Any animal running at large, with any reasonable means used to immobilize or capture such animal;
(c)
Any animal which is by this Title required to be licensed and is not licensed; an animal not wearing a tag shall be presumed to be unlicensed for the purposes of this section;
(d)
Sick or injured animals whose owner cannot be immediately located or whose owner requests impoundment and agrees to pay a fee, as indicated in the fee schedule, for the services rendered;
(e)
Any abandoned or neglected animal whose safety may be threatened should the animal not be readily placed into protective custody;
(f)
Animals which are not vaccinated for rabies in accordance with the requirements of this Title;
(g)
Any animal needing to be held for quarantine;
(h)
Any potentially vicious or dangerous animal not properly confined as required by Sections 13-405 and 13-406 of this Title; or
(i)
Any animal in the custody of any person or persons who are arrested or otherwise detained by any police officer, in the event another responsible party cannot be located by the owner.
13-502. - Redemption Requirements.#
The owner of any impounded animal or their authorized representative may redeem such animal before disposition, provided they pay the following fees as contained in the City's Consolidated Fee Schedule, adopted by Resolution of the City Council: (1)
The impound fees.
(2)
The daily board charge.
(3)
The Veterinary costs incurred during the impound period.
(4)
License fee, if applicable.
(5)
A transportation fee if transportation of an impounded animal by specialized equipment is required. "Specialized Equipment" is that equipment, other than the usual patrol and operation vehicles of Animal Services, which is designed for specific purposes such as, but not limited to, livestock trailers and carcass trailers.
(6)
Any other expenses incurred to impound an animal in accordance with state or local laws, including any reasonable restitution for property damage created by the animal or that occurs as a result of the impoundment.
(7)
Any Court ordered fees or fines.
13-503. - Terms of Impoundment, Destruction, and Disposal of Animals.#
(1)
Animals shall be impounded for a minimum of three (3) calendar days before further disposition unless the animal is wearing a license tag or other identification, in which case it shall be held a minimum of five (5) calendar days. Reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner of any animal wearing a license or other identification during that time. Notice shall be deemed given when sent to the last known address of the listed owner. Any animal voluntarily relinquished to the Animal Shelter by the owner thereof for destruction or other disposition need not be kept for the minimum holding period before release or other disposition as herein provided. A fee shall be charged the owner for the destruction and any subsequent disposal of the carcass done by the Animal Services Division, as per the fee resolution. The owner shall also sign a relinquishment consent.
(2)
All animals, except those quarantined or confined by court order, or those subject to Section 4-25-4, Utah Code (as amended), which are held longer than the minimum impound period, and all animals voluntarily relinquished to the impound facility, may be destroyed or disposed of as the Animal Services Director shall direct. Any healthy dog or cat may be sold in compliance with the City Animal Services Division Adoption Policy after payment of all applicable fees, as per the fee resolution. Other small animals, not included as livestock, may also be adopted as determined by the Animal Services Director.
(3)
Any licensed animal impounded and having or suspected of having serious physical injury or contagious disease requiring medical attention may, at the discretion of the Animal Services Director, be released to the care of a Veterinarian with or without the consent of the owner.
(4)
When, in the judgment of the Animal Services Director, it is determined that an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons or to protect the public from imminent danger to persons or property, such animal may be destroyed without regard to any time limitation otherwise established in this Title, and without court order.
(5)
Animal Services Officers may destroy an animal, on site, upon request of the owner without transporting the animal to the City facilities. The destruction will be accomplished through approved euthanasia procedures. A fee, as contained in the City's Consolidated Fee Schedule, adopted by Resolution, shall be charged the owner for the destruction and any subsequent disposal of the carcass done by the Animal Services Division, as per the fee resolution. The owner will sign a form agreeing to the destruction and fee.
13-504. - Declaration and Disposal of Vicious or Dangerous Animals.#
If the Animal Services Director, any Animal Services Officer, or the City determines, as a result of a witnessed incident, that an animal is potentially dangerous or dangerous, and finds that the animal is in violation of such restrictions as the Animal Services Division deems necessary for the safety of persons and/or animals in the community, the Animal Services Division may declare the animal to be a vicious or dangerous animal. The Animal Services Director or any Animal Services Officer are hereby authorized to immediately take possession of the vicious or dangerous animal and place the animal in a proper quarantine facility.
After placing the animal in the Animal Services facility, the Animal Services Director shall first attempt to obtain the written consent of the animal's owner to destroy the animal in a humane manner. If the animal owner's consent cannot be readily obtained, the City shall file a complaint in Tremonton City Justice Court claiming that the animal is vicious or dangerous and needs to be destroyed. If the court finds that the animal is vicious, then the City will seek an order from the court allowing the City to destroy the animal in a humane manner.
In the event the Court determines that the animal is a vicious or dangerous animal, the owner shall pay all costs of impoundment fees, maintenance fees, or any other fees that may incur as a result of such impoundment and/or disposal, as per the Court's order or the City's Consolidated Fee Schedule, adopted by Resolution of the City Council.
13-505. - Impoundment Records.#
The impounding facility shall keep a record of each animal impounded which includes the following information: (1)
Complete and reasonably detailed information about the animal including the approximate size and weight of the animal, its breed(s) if it can reasonably be determined, digital photo (to be taken at the time of impound), its color, markings, sex, and other information which the Animal Services Director deems appropriate, including license tag numbers;
(2)
The manner and date of impound;
(3)
The location of the pickup and the name of the officer or person picking up the animal;
(4)
The manner and date of disposal;
(5)
The name and address of the redeemer or purchaser;
(6)
The name and address of any person relinquishing an animal to the impound facility;
(7)
All fees and costs incurred and received for keeping the animal; and
(8)
All expenses accrued during impoundment.