§ 8-133. Abandonment.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon any animal or to cause an animal to be abandoned. Abandonment is defined as the leaving unattended of any animal, by an owner or keeper, for more than one (1) hour in a place open to the public or at least seventy-two (72) consecutive hours in a private place.

(b)

The executive director is authorized to impound any animal which appears to be abandoned. Prior to impoundment, the executive director shall provide notice pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section. After impoundment, the executive director shall comply with the notice provisions of section 8-150.

(c)

Notice prior to impoundment from place open to the public. In a place open to the public, a conspicuous notice conforming with the requirements of section 8-150(b) must be posted for thirty (30) minutes. During the 30-minute posting period, the executive director shall take reasonable steps to locate an owner or keeper in the immediate vicinity of the animal.

(d)

Notice prior to impoundment from private place. In a private place not otherwise open to public use, a conspicuous notice conforming with the requirements of section 8-150(b) must be posted approximately every twenty-four (24) hours. When seventy-two (72) hours have passed, at least two (2) notices have been posted, and the animal has remained abandoned, the executive director is then authorized to impound the animal.

(e)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authorization of the executive director to immediately impound an animal which has been neglected or left unattended in a vehicle as provided in section 8-131(b)(2).

(Ord. No. 672-18, § 1, 7-16-18)