§ 90.040. DISPOSITION OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.

(A) Holding period. Impounded animals which are not claimed by their owner shall be kept for a minimum of 72 hours, except when an animal arrives at the shelter in so sick or injured condition that, in the judgment of the police officer or a licensed veterinarian, human compassion requires that the suffering be promptly ended. In that instance the time period shall not apply and the animal will be humanely killed to prevent needless suffering.

(B) Disposition of animal after expiration of holding period. Whenever any animal shall remain in the animal shelter or other place of impoundment for a period longer than 72 hours from the impounding of the animal (except those animals impounded for disease control observation, in which case the period shall begin upon the expiration of the applicable observation period), the animal shall be disposed of in a humane manner by a veterinarian, except as set forth in division (D) of this section.

(C) Unlawful disposal. No police officer shall dispose of any captured or impounded animal except through the procedures provided for by this chapter. No police officer shall hold a commercial animal establishment permit.

(D) Adoption. The city may, in lieu of having an unclaimed animal killed as provided in this section, the animal may be held for a period of up to 72 additional hours for the purposes of adoption, at the discretion of the animal shelter staff and Chief of Police give the animal into the custody of any adult requesting adoption of a specific animal as a pet after viewing it, providing that the person agrees that he or she will humanely care for the animal and will not permit its use for breeding, guard, laboratory, experimental or illegal purposes. If the animal is not adopted or is deemed to be unadoptable the animal shall be disposed of in a humane manner by a veterinarian.

(E) Impoundment fee and boarding fee. An impoundment fee shall be charged when any animal is picked up by an officer of the city, or an agent thereof, and transported to the animal shelter. The fee for the care of any dog or cat during the period of impoundment shall be at a rate for each day that the dog or cat is impounded; the fee for the care during the period of impoundment shall be at a rate for each day.