4. Dogs & Cats Running at Large

SECTION

10-401. Prohibition.
10-402. Impounding dogs and cats.

10-401. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or possessing any dog or cat to permit the same to run at large. For the purpose of this paragraph, "running at large" shall be defined to be the presence of a dog or cat at any place except upon the premises of the owner.
A dog or cat shall not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash and under control of a person physically able to control it.
No dog or cat shall be permitted in any cemetery.
No dog or cat shall be allowed in any beaches or any swimming areas open to the public in the City. (1996 Code, § 10-401, modified)

10-402. Impounding dogs and cats. Whenever any Police Officer or other person designated by the Chief of Police shall find any dog or cat running at large as defined in this chapter, he shall, if possible, pick up and impound such animal in such place as the Chief of Police may direct.
Whenever any impounded dog or cat shall bear an identification mark such as a collar or tag, the owner shall be notified forthwith. Any dog impounded shall be held for a period of not less than seventy-two (72) hours. There shall be no required holding period before returning any impounded cat to the owner, unless such cat is suspected of having rabies, in which case the impounded cat shall be held for a period of seven (7) days. At the end of seven (7) days the impounded dog or cat shall be disposed of unless the owner thereof shall reclaim such dog or cat and pay at the Police Department the reasonable cost of keeping such dog or cat and an impounding fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for the first impounding and of fifteen dollars ($15.00) and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the second and third impounding respectively in one (1) year. The destruction of any impounded dogs or cats by any Police Officer or any person designated by the Chief of Police under the provisions of this chapter shall be by means of a manner prescribed by the county humane society. (1996 Code, § 10-402)