§ 4-23. Impoundment.

(a)

Animals may be impounded upon the following conditions:

(1)

At-large animals, including, but limited to, nuisance animals, animals suspected of being neglected, subjected to cruelty or abandoned, and animals which have bitten persons may be taken by law enforcement or animal control officers and impounded in the county animal control shelter.

(2)

In lieu of impounding an animal which is at large, or a public nuisance according to this article, the town marshal or any of his deputies may issue to the known owner of such animal a notice of ordinance violation.

(b)

The jurisdiction of the town marshal and his deputies shall be co-extensive with the jurisdiction of said officers in the state.

(c)

If by a license tag or other means the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the town marshal or his deputies shall, as soon as possible upon impoundment, notify the owner by telephone or mail. Animals whose owners are not identifiable or cannot be notified after reasonable effort shall be held by the county animal control officer and disposed of according to the rules and regulations adopted by the county commissioners.

(d)

An owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall pay such board fees as the county commissioners have adopted from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2005-02, § 4.00, 4-14-2005)

State law reference

Animal impoundment authorized, IC 36-8-6-2; impoundment of biting dogs, IC 15-20-1-7, 35-46-3-6.