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F. Seizure of animals. <br /> 1. The Animal Control Officer may seize animals for reasons specified in this chapter. The animal <br /> Control Officer shall immediately seize any potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal if: <br /> a. after 14 days after the owner has notice of the animal's designation, the animal is not validly <br /> registered, the owner does not secure proper liability coverage, or the animal is not sterilized; or <br /> b. an animal is not otherwise maintained in a manner consistent with an order of the Animal <br /> Control Officer. <br /> 2. If an owner of a dog is convicted of a crime for which the dog was originally seized, the court may <br /> order that the dog be confiscated and destroyed in a proper and humane manner, and that the owner pay the costs <br /> incurred in confiscating, confining, and destroying the dog. <br /> G. Impoundment; notice to owner; disposition of unclaimed animals Unrestrained animals may be taken by <br /> any officer and impounded in an animal shelter. Impounded animals shall be kept for not less than five days <br /> unless reclaimed by their owners. If by a permit tag or by other means the owner can be identified, the Animal <br /> Control Officer shall 'immediately, upon impoundment, notify the owner by telephone, mail or personal contact of <br /> such impoundment. Animals not claimed by their owners within five days may be humanely disposed of by any <br /> person or agency delegated by the city council to exercise such authority. Any animal which is in the city that has <br /> been critically injured may be destroyed by an Animal Control Officer or by a veterinarian. <br /> H. Reclamation; pound fees. Impounded animals may be reclaimed by their owners after payment is made to the <br /> city of a pound fee, in addition to boarding and other costs. All fees in the city will be established from time to <br /> time by ordinance or resolution of the city council, or such expenses as otherwise set by market rates where <br /> establishing fees are not practical. <br /> I. Alternative to impoundment; proceedings against owner. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, if <br /> an animal is found at large and its owner can be identified and located, such animal need not be impounded but <br /> may, instead, be taken to the owner. In such case, however, proceedings may be taken against the owner for <br /> violation of this chapter. <br /> J. Female animals in heat. Every female animal in heat shall be confined in a building or other secure <br /> enclosure, in such a manner that the female animal cannot come into contact with another animal, except for <br /> planned breeding. <br /> K. Care of and cruelty to animals. No person shall fail to provide any animal with sufficient food and water, <br /> proper shelter and veterinary care when needed. No person shall beat, cruelly treat, torment or otherwise abuse <br /> any animal or cause or permit any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight or other combat between animals or between <br /> animals and humans. No person shall abandon an animal. <br /> L. Quarantine of biting animals. Any animal which bites a person shall be quarantined for such time as may be <br /> directed by the city. During quarantine the animal shall be securely confined. At the discretion of the police chief <br /> the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner. However, if the police chief requires other confinement, the <br /> owner shall surrender the animal for the quarantine period to an animal shelter or shall, at his own expense, place <br /> it in a veterinary hospital. <br /> M. Destruction of animals suspected of being rabid. No person shall kill any animal suspected of being rabid <br /> except after the animal has been placed in quarantine and the diagnosis of rabies made by a licensed veterinarian. <br /> If a veterinarian diagnoses rabies in an animal in quarantine, then the animal shall be humanely euthanized. <br /> Page 3of11 <br />