BC 1996 03 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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63 Animal Control Department and confined in an animal shelter in a humane manner. Impoundment of such an animal shall not relieve the owner thereof from any penalty which may be imposed for violation of this ordinance. Section 2. Notice to owner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, the Animal Control Department shall make reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby the animal may be redeemed. If the owner is unknown or cannot be located, impoundment shall be three (3) days (or longer at the discretion of the animal control officer). Section 3. Redemption by owner generally. (A) (B) (¢) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner within the period prescribed in Section 2, it may be destroyed in a humane manner or shall become the property of the animal shelter(s) and offered for adoption to any responsible adult who is willing to comply with this ordinance. It is recommended that cylinder carbon monoxide gas rather than engine produced carbon monoxide gas be used in the destroying of unclaimed animals. Such animal may be adopted or purchased by the first such person who pays the adoption or purchase fee and rabies vaccination fee. No rabies vaccination fee will be required for animals sold to dealers licensed pursuant to the U. S Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Control Department shall recommend that all adopted female dogs and cats released from the animal shelter be spayed. No animal which has been impounded by reason of its being stray, unclaimedby its owner, shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal shelter during a period of emergency rabies quarantine invoked pursuant to Article II, Section 7 of this ordinance, except by special authorization of the Director of Public Health and the Animal Control Department. Section 5. Procedure with respect to redemption or adoption of unvaccinated dog or cat: (A) (B) (c) Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every person who either adopts or redeems a dog or cat at the animal shelter will be given a "proof of rabies vaccination card" at the time of the redemption or adoption. This card will be stamped with a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the dog or cat to the veterinarian of such person's choice for rabies vaccination. The time limit for dogs and cats four (4) months and older will be seventy-two (72) hours, with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies and kittens under four (4) months, the time limit will vary according to their age. The "proof of rabies vaccination card" will be completed and returned to the animal shelter by the person adopting the animal. If this card is not returned to the animal shelter within the time limit specified on the card, an animal control officer will be dispatched to retrieve the dog or cat. Payment for rabies vaccination provided for in this section will be the responsibility of the person redeeming or adopting the animal. Section 6. Suspected rabid animals not to be redeemed or adopted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, animals impounded which appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or adopted, but shall be dealt with in accordance with Article II of this ordinance. Section 7. Destruction of wounded or diseased animals Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any animal impounded which is badly wounded or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be destroyed immediately in a humane manner. If the animal has identification, the Animal Control Department shall attempt to notify the owner before disposing of such animal, but if the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the Animal Control Department may destroy the animal at its discretion in a humane manner.