§ 2-4-20. Redemption of animals.

(a)

The owner of an animal licensed and vaccinated pursuant to the requirements of this ordinance shall have the right to redeem their animal unless it has been impounded for any of the following reasons: (i) further investigation, (ii) quarantine, or (iii) the division is seeking custody, an order to provide care, or a dangerous dog determination. In the event one of these situations applies, the animal may be redeemed only when the division, the public health unit, or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that all applicable state laws, statutes, ordinances, and/or administrative policies have been fulfilled.

(b)

An owner shall redeem his or her animal after being notified by the division that the animal is ready for release within the time lines established in this ordinance. If not redeemed within this time, the owner will have been deemed to have waived his or her rights to the animal, and the division may, in its discretion, make appropriate disposition of the animal as allowable under section 2-4-19 of this ordinance and other applicable law.

(c)

The division shall have the sole discretion to determine whether unlicensed animals may be redeemed by the person claiming ownership in accordance with division policy and completion of the following:

(1)

Proof of ownership. Proof of ownership must be provided and may be established by any or all of the following:

a.

The license certificate;

b.

A bill of sale;

c.

Photographs of the animal in question;

d.

Microchip or tattoo information;

e.

Affidavits from neighbors;

f.

Veterinary records; or

g.

Other reliable documented evidence considered reliable by the division; along with a sworn or affirmed statement of ownership.

(2)

Fees and costs. The owner of the impounded animal must pay all assessed impound, service and per diem fees, and applicable costs, which may include, but not be limited to, daily costs, medical expenses, investigative costs, and any other related costs as applicable, in order to redeem the animal. The impound fees and per diem fees shall be established by board resolution. All fees and costs shall be paid in full prior to release of the animal.

(3)

Vaccinations and microchipping.

a.

Unless exempted by this ordinance, proof of rabies vaccinations must be provided to the division prior to redemption, or the owner must arrange for administration of the vaccinations prior to or contemporaneously with the release of the animal.

b.

Any animal may be microchipped by the division at the time of redemption at the discretion of the division unless a veterinarian recommends against microchipping.

c.

The owner may have his or her veterinarian implant the microchip and/or administer the rabies vaccination. In such cases, a refundable deposit as established by resolution may be required prior to the animal being redeemed.

(d)

The division may allow redemption of an animal to a designated authorized agent of the owner who provides proof of ownership and of authorization for release of the animal to the agent.

(e)

Animals which have not been redeemed or for which an owner has not been identified or located within the time period provided in this ordinance, shall become the property of the county. Thereafter, the division may, in its discretion, place such animals for adoption, transfer by agreement, or make any other disposition pursuant to law.

(Ord. No. 12-10, § 1, 5-8-12)