§ 26-95. Impoundment generally; disposition of impounded animals.

(a)

Impoundment authorized; notice of impoundment. Any domestic animal found not being kept in conformity with this article, or determined to be a nuisance domestic animal by the animal control officer, shall be impounded by the animal control officer and taken to the animal shelter. Promptly upon the impoundment of any animal, the animal control officer shall give written notice to the owner of the domestic animal, if the owner's name and address is known, and shall post a notice that the domestic animal has been impounded. The notice shall state the date and the area where the domestic animal was picked up, a description of the animal, the reason for impounding it, a statement by the animal control officer certifying the day on which the officer posted the notice, and a statement that unless claimed within four days from the date on which the notice was posted, excluding Sundays and holidays, the domestic animal will be disposed of. The notice shall be posted at the county courthouse and at the animal shelter.

(b)

Disposition of impounded animals. Any domestic animal (except those referred to in section 26-96) which has been impounded shall be released to its owner upon presentation of proof of ownership, and after the domestic animal has been properly vaccinated and upon payment of impounding fees and per diem charges as determined by the board of county commissioners. If the domestic animal has been impounded previously, then each additional impoundment shall result in an additional penalty fee. Any impounded domestic animal which is not reclaimed by its owner within four days from the date notice was posted as provided in this section, excluding Sundays and holidays, shall be disposed of in the following manner:

(1)

The domestic animal shall be destroyed as provided in F.S. ch. 828.

(2)

The domestic animal, at the discretion of the animal control officer, may be adopted by an adult 18 years of age or older who desires to give the domestic animal a home, and who pays for sterilization and proper vaccination and pays the fees for such adoption.

(c)

Fee schedule. The board of county commissioners may adopt by resolution a schedule of fees relating to the impoundment of domestic animals, which may include but is not limited to fees for impoundment, boarding, adoption, sterilization, rabies vaccination, euthanasia, disposal, and a trap deposit.

(Ord. No. 847, § 1(6-47), 2-6-1996)

State law reference

Release of dogs and cats from animal shelters, F.S. § 823.15.