§ 6-1. Impoundment of animals.

(a)

Impounding of animals. In addition to any penalty hereinafter provided for a violation of this chapter, any law enforcement or humane officer may impound any dog, cat or other animal which habitually pursues any vehicle upon any street, alley or highway of the town, assaults or attacks any person, is at large within the town, habitually barks, cries or howls, kills, wounds or worries any domestic animal or is infected with rabies. In order for an animal to be impounded, the impounding officer must see or hear the violation of this subsection or have in his possession a signed statement of a complaining witness made under oath alleging the facts regarding the violation and containing an agreement to reimburse the town for any damages it sustains for improper or illegal seizure.

(b)

Claiming animal; disposal of unclaimed animals. After seizure of animals under this section by a law enforcement or humane officer, the animal shall be impounded. The officer shall notify the owner, personally or through the U.S. Mail, if such owner is known to the officer or can be ascertained with reasonable effort, but if such owner is unknown or unascertainable, the officer shall post written notice in three public places in the town, giving a description of the animal, stating where it is impounded and the conditions for its release, after the officer has taken such animal into his possession. If within seven days after such notice the owner does not claim such animal, the officer may dispose of the animal in a proper and humane manner; provided, if an animal before being impounded has bitten a person, the animal shall be retained in the animal shelter for 14 days for observation purposes. Within such times, the owner may reclaim the animal upon payment of impoundment fees, such fees to be established by resolution. No animal shall be released from the pound without being properly licensed if so required by state law or town ordinance.

(c)

Sale of impounded animals. If the owner doesn't reclaim the animal within seven days, the animal warden may sell the animal to any willing buyer.

(d)

Town not liable for impounding animals. The town and/or its animal control agency shall not be liable for the death of any animal which has been impounded or disposed of pursuant to this section.

(Prior Code, § 7-1-7)