§ 14-42. Impoundment and redemption.

(a)

The Board is empowered and authorized to create, institute, construct, operate and maintain Animal control shelters or holding facilities at locations selected by the Board in order to provide adequate Animal service facilities for the entire County or arrange with private parties for the same.

(b)

The Animal Services Director may engage the services of a Licensed Veterinarian to treat any sick or injured Animal, including any Animal subject to Cruelty, or any Animal infected with or suspected of carrying rabies, or impounded pursuant to this article. The Owner of such Animal shall be liable for payment of veterinary and impoundment expenses or reimbursement of the County's expenses in treating the Animal.

(c)

The Board, by resolution, shall establish fees to be charged for impounding, boarding and feeding Animals.

(d)

Animal Services may catch, seize, humanely trap, or pick up and impound:

(1)

Any Dog or cat At Large;

(2)

Any Dog or cat not vaccinated or licensed as required herein;

(3)

Any Animal which has bitten or scratched a Person or any Animal carrying or suspected of carrying rabies or other infectious or contagious diseases;

(4)

Any sick, injured, abandoned or cruelly treated Animal for which the Owner cannot be found after reasonable effort to do so;

(5)

Any Public Nuisance Animal;

(6)

Any Vicious Animal;

(7)

Any Animal not properly quarantined;

(8)

Any female Dog or cat in heat not properly confined;

(9)

Any Dog or cat not wearing a License Tag;

(10)

Any other Animal authorized by this article to be impounded; or

(11)

Any Animal otherwise in violation of this article.

(e)

An Animal Services Officer shall attempt to identify and locate the Owner of an Animal impounded pursuant to this article. If the Owner can be identified and located, the Animal Services Officer shall provide notice either in writing, by telephone, or in Person that the Animal has been impounded.

(f)

Any Animal impounded pursuant to this article may be redeemed within five days of such notice or within seven days if such Animal is wearing a current Sarasota County License Tag. The period of redemption shall include the day of impoundment. The last day of such redemption shall occur on a day the County shelter or other holding facility is open for business.

(g)

Any Animal impounded under the provisions of this article and not redeemed as provided for herein, or any Animal turned over to the custody of Animal Services by the Owner, shall become the property of Sarasota County, Florida. The Animal Services Director shall humanely destroy such Animal, or place it in the custody of some Person, by gift or sale, deemed to be a responsible and suitable Owner, who will agree to comply with all provisions of this article. No live Animal impounded under provisions of this article may be given or sold to any Person for use in laboratory testing or experiments of any kind.

(h)

No Animal impounded pursuant to this article shall be released until:

(1)

The Owner of an impounded dog or cat which is not vaccinated against rabies or which does not have a valid License Certificate or License Tag arranges for rabies vaccination and obtains a License Certificate and License Tag;

(2)

The Owner of an impounded Animal pays the fees for impoundment, board, feed, and any additional fees for rabies vaccination and a License Certificate and License Tag;

(3)

The Owner of an impounded Animal pays any expenses incurred by the County for veterinary treatment;

(4)

The Owner of an impounded Animal provides proof of ownership or custody, such as a License Certificate, sales receipt, affidavits of neighbors, photographs, or other documentary evidence;

(5)

If a Vicious Animal is impounded, the Owner of such Animal complies with the provisions of this article applicable to Vicious Animals; and

(6)

If an Animal subject to Cruelty is impounded, an order may be issued pursuant to Section 828.073, Florida Statutes.

(i)

The Department shall have the sole discretion to determine whether unregistered Animals may be redeemed by the Person claiming ownership in accordance with Department policy and completion of the following requirements:

(1)

Proof of ownership must be provided and may be established by any or all of the following:

a.

The Registration Certificate;

b.

A bill of sale;

c.

Photographs of the Animal in question;

d.

Microchip or tattoo information;

e.

Affidavits from neighbors;

f.

Veterinary records;

g.

Other reliable documentary or anecdotal evidence considered reliable by the Department; along with a sworn affirmed statement of ownership.

(j)

The Owner of the impounded Animal must pay all assessed impound/service fees and applicable costs which may include, but not be limited to, daily boarding costs, medical expenses, investigative costs, sterilization deposit and/or fee, boarding fees and any related costs as applicable in order to redeem an animal. The impound/service fees, boarding costs, and sterilization deposit amounts, shall be established by the Board. Fees and costs shall be paid in full prior to release of the Animal.

(Ord. No. 95-042, § 12, 5-9-1994; Ord. No. 97-044, § 1(12), 6-17-1997; Ord. No. 2004-111, § 7, 11-10-2004; Ord. No. 2009-050, § 6, 10-13-2009)