Athens City Code

Any animal or fowl found running at large in violation of this chapter may be seized by the animal control officer or by any police officer and confined in an animal shelter provided or designated by the city manager. If the owner is known, that individual shall be given notice in person, by telephone, or by mail. If the owner is not known, the animal shall be confined in the shelter for a period not less than three working days to allow an owner to reclaim that animal. In order to reclaim his animal, the owner must pay an impoundment fee plus a boarding fee which is to be established by the city council. Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within three working days after the date of seizure shall become the property of local government authority and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home subject to shelter adoption procedure. The unclaimed animal may be disposed of after an additional five working days by veterinarian-supervised euthanization. Disposal of an animal does not relieve the owner of liability for violations, nor shall the city, or any of its agents or employees, be in any way responsible for any animal disposed of as provided in this title. The city and its officials shall not be responsible for any illness, disease, or death occurring to any animal confined in the city's animal shelter, as stipulated in the city standard operating procedures.

(Code 1972, § 3-107; Code 1995, § 10-107; Ord. No. 917, 4-20-2004)