§ 6-6. Impounding of cats, dogs.

(a)

The animal services officer or any police officer may cause to be captured and impounded any animal, excluding livestock, at large and in violation of this chapter. This section shall be enforced relative to cats, only upon receipt of a complaint.

(b)

The owner of any animal impounded under the terms of this chapter shall have the right to redeem same, unless otherwise provided, upon payment to the city for each dog or cat. The owner shall pay fees associated with redemption of said animal as set forth in the animal services fee schedule, including, but not limited to, impound fees, boarding fees, and veterinary or drug fees incurred during impoundment.

(c)

All dogs and cats redeemed from the city, which are not already microchipped, may be microchipped at the expense of the owner prior to being released from impoundment. All dogs and cats redeemed from the city, which are not already currently vaccinated for rabies, will be vaccinated for rabies at the expense of the owner prior to being released from impoundment.

(d)

All impounded animals shall be redeemed within 72 hours after their impoundment. All animals impounded for more than 72 hours will become property of the city and any prior ownership will be completely divested. Once the impounded animal becomes property of the city, such animal may be made eligible for adoption through animal services or other third party rescue organization or be humanely destroyed at the sole discretion of animal services.

(e)

Notwithstanding the above provisions, the disposition of an animal impounded under V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 821.022 (Seizure of Cruelly Treated Animals) shall be governed by V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 821.023 (Hearing; Order of Disposition or Return of Animal).

(Ord. No. 2018-001, § 2, 11-6-18)