§ 4-2. Impoundment.

(a)

The animal control officer or any police officer may take up and impound in the city pound any animal or fowl found running at large in violation of this chapter and shall provide proper sustenance for every animal impounded.

(b)

Within twenty-four (24) hours after an animal has been impounded pursuant to subsection (a), the animal control officer shall post a notice in three (3) conspicuous places in the city, one (1) of them at the pound, describing the animal and stating that it has been impounded. He/she shall also make a reasonable attempt to give oral or written notice to the owner if the owner is known.

(c)

No animal impounded shall be released except to a person displaying a receipt from the clerk showing payment of the impounding fee for the sale price. The fee for impounding shall be as determined by the council by resolution.

(d)

If any impounded animal is not redeemed within six (6) days, the animal control officer shall give an additional three-day posted notice as provided in subsection (b), of the time and place when and where the animal shall be sold. If the poundmaster is unable to sell the animal on the day stated, he/she may sell the animal as soon thereafter as possible without further notice.

(e)

The clerk shall turn over the proceeds of such sale to the director of finance. The director shall pay the animal control officer the costs of impounding. The balance shall be paid, on order of the council, to the owner of the animal or fowl if claimed within one (1) year from the date of sale; otherwise, it shall be forfeited to the city.

(f)

No unauthorized person shall break into the pound or release any animal legally placed therein.

(Code 1984, Title 7, § 480; Ord. No. 96-6, 6-6-96)

State law reference

Notice of impounded animals, M.S. § 346.54.