§ 4-61. Impoundment of a severely injured, ill, diseased or distressed animal; owner not located.

(a)

If an animal services officer or police officer has reason to believe that an animal is severely injured, ill, diseased or distressed, and the owner or custodian of the animal cannot be located after reasonable attempts, said officer may apply to the municipal court for a warrant for seizure and impoundment of the animal.

(b)

On a showing of probable cause that the animal is severely injured, ill, diseased, or distressed and that the owner or custodian of said animal could not be located after reasonable attempts, the municipal court shall issue a warrant for seizure and impoundment of the animal.

(c)

The officer executing the warrant shall cause the animal to be impounded, take the animal to the shelter or a veterinarian, and shall give written notice to the owner of the name of the officer, a telephone number where the officer can be contacted and the location where the animal can be claimed.

(d)

If it appears to the officer that the animal is in imminent danger of permanent injury or death or that the animal, by reason of its condition, constitutes a serious, physical hazard to persons or other animals and the officer cannot locate the owner on the premises, the officer may enter the premises where the animal is located in a reasonable manner, without a warrant, and take the animal to the shelter or to a veterinarian. A written notice as required in subparagraph (c) above shall be left at or near the location from which the animal was taken, in such a manner as to be conspicuous to the animal's owner or custodian when that person returns.

(e)

If an animal is impounded pursuant to this section, said animal shall be subject to the provisions of article VII.

(Ord. No. 2026, § 1(Exh. A), 8-14-07)