CHAPTER 11-02
DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMALS:
11-0201. Animals Running at Large Prohibited.
11-0202. Impounding of Animals.
11-0203. Notice of Impounding.
11-0204. Release of Animal.
11-0205. Dangerous or Vicious Animals.
11-0206. Harboring Dangerous or Vicious Animals.
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11-0201. ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED. No person who is the owner or keeper of any animal shall allow any animal to run at large in the City.
11-0202. IMPOUNDING OF ANIMALS. Any animal found running at large or abandoned may be impounded and shall keep it until redeemed or otherwise disposed of. Law enforcement shall have the right to go onto private property to carry our the purposes of this chapter and to deputize others to assist them.
11-0203. NOTICE OF IMPOUNDING.The police shall immediately give notice of impounding of any such animal to the owner, if known and if the owner can be found.
11-0204. RELEASE OF ANIMAL. Any impounded animal may be redeemed by the owner thereof by payment to the City of Harwood of the fees hereinafter established; provided, however, that no animal shall be released unless the owner thereof shall present proof that such animal has been immunized for rabies within the twelve (12) months preceding its impoundment. When such proof is not available, the owner may advance the cost of immunization and any expense incidental thereto, and after such immunization has been accomplished, the animal may be redeemed and released upon payment of the fees provided. Any animal impounded shall bear current Harwood animal license tags or such shall be purchased for said animal by the owner prior to being redeemed by the owner. After an animal has been held unredeemed for a period of at least three (3) business days, it may be disposed of by selling, or by surrendering it to some person who will provide the animal a suitable home, or by euthanizing it.
11-0205. PROCEED OF SALE. The proceeds from the sale of any impounded animal or fowl, after the payment of all costs, fees and expenses, shall be paid into the City Treasury. The City Auditor, upon proper evidence of ownership, shall pay the same to the owner of the animal or fowl sold. If no owner or proper claimant appears and makes such proff within six (6) months from the time the money was received, the City Auditor shall turn the money so received innto the general fund of the City, and it shall become the property of the City.
11-0206. FEES. Fees to be colleccted for impounding of such animals shall be fixed from time to time by the City Council. To such fees may be added the reasonable cost of feeding and caring for such animal during the period of impoundment.
11-0207. DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal defined as dangerous or vicious in Section 11-0101 of this Chapter must be kept under control at all times by its owner. No person shall keep or permit any dangerous or vicious animal within the City unless such animal is secured by a chain or the person's premises or muzzled to prevent it from biting. Any dangerous or vicious animal found running at large may be destroyed without attempting to impound the same.
11-0208. HARBORING DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMALS. Any animal owner or keeper whose animal has attacked a person or another domestic animal shall take such precautions as may be necessary to ensure that the animal does not roam off the owner's or keeper’s premises and attack persons or animals. If a dangerous or vicious animal continues to stray from its owner's or keeper’s premises and control, thereby causing a risk to persons and animals, any law enforcement officer may, by petition to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, request that the animal be taken into custody, following which the Court shall determine whether the animal is dangerous or vicious and whether its owner's or keeper’s refusal or inability to restrain it constitutes a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the general public. If the Court determines that such a threat exists, it may make such orders as may be necessary to alleviate the danger, including the destruction of the animal in question. In the case of destruction ordered by the Court, the owner shall not be entitled to any compensation for the taking of the animal.