10.02.090 Impoundment of stray animals.
A. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police and his designees to:
1. Apprehend any stray animal or any animal found running at large contrary to the provisions of PMC 10.02.060 or not duly vaccinated or licensed as provided herein and to impound such animal in the Town animal control facility or other suitable place determined by the Chief of Police; and
2. Upon apprehending any such animal, make a complete registry of the impounded animal, including the following: the date, time, place, and circumstances of the apprehension; the apparent breed, sex, and color of the animal is licensed; the name and address of the owner and the date and number of the animal tag shall be entered in such registry, which registry shall be maintained at the office of the Chief of Police.
B. When such animal is impounded, the Town Manager, or his designated representative, shall be notified as soon as possible of that action. A report of the impoundment shall be made and kept available at the Parachute Police Department for public information. If the owner of an impounded animal is traceable through identification by license or otherwise, an attempt shall be made to contact the owner within twenty-four (24) hours of impoundment. If an impounded animal is not claimed by the end of the third day after impoundment, and the owner has not been found, the animal shall be put up for adoption unless other arrangements have been made with the Chief of Police, or his designee. As appropriate, the Chief of Police may list the animal as being available for adoption with cooperating radio stations, or newspapers, and may be posted in the Town Hall.
C. No animal shall be released from the place of impoundment to the owner until the owner shall have paid all charges, as set out herein, for impounding and maintenance of said animal, and until the animal has been licensed and vaccinated against rabies in accordance with this chapter as directed by the Chief of Police, or his designee. No female domesticated animal in heat shall be released until the owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police, or his designee, that he has facilities for caring for and confining said animal.
D. The charges and fees for impounding and keeping any animal shall be as set by resolution of the Town of Parachute Town Council. These charges and costs shall be in addition to any penalties imposed on the animal owner pursuant to this chapter.
E. If, within ten (10) days of impoundment under this section, an animal is not claimed, or the charges have not been paid thereon, or the owner otherwise has not complied with the requirements of this section regarding redemption of the animal and the animal has not been adopted, the Chief of Police, or his designee, may have such animal destroyed, except as otherwise provided herein. (Ord. 529 §1, 2005; Amended Ord. 685 §15, 2015; Amended Ord. 757 §2, 2019)