(a) Types of disposition. An animal impounded by the Office may be:
(1) redeemed by an owner under certain circumstances;
(2) placed for adoption if abandoned;
(3) set loose in a suitable habitat if wild; or
(4) humanely euthanized in a manner approved by the Office.
(b) Redemption. The owner of an impounded animal may redeem the animal if:
(1) the owner pays impoundment and boarding fees, including the costs of caring for the animal, transporting livestock, or removing an animal from a tree or other location to protect the health or safety of humans or the animal;
(2) the owner pays a field service fee, if a County employee or contractor brought the animal to a shelter or other facility;
(3) the owner shows proof of legal title to the animal;
(4) the animal is licensed;
(5) the Executive Director approves or the Board orders the redemption, and the owner complies with any conditions for redemption; and
(6) redemption is not prohibited by another animal control law.
(c) Fees. The owner must pay any fees described in subsection (b) even if the owner does not redeem the animal. Failure to pay within 30 days after any fee becomes due is a Class B civil violation.
(d) Release or adoption prohibited. The Executive Director must not:
(1) release an animal impounded under a Board order unless a Board order allows redemption; or
(2) place for adoption an animal that has not been abandoned unless the owner consents.
(e) Dangerous or nuisance animals. The Executive Director or any other person must not sell, release, or place for adoption an animal that an animal control officer found is dangerous or potentially dangerous, would cause a public nuisance or other violation, or has rabies or an incurable communicable disease, unless the Executive Director finds the action is safe.
(f) Failure to redeem. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, an impounded animal is considered abandoned and becomes County property if the animal is not redeemed by its owner within 5 days after the Executive Director notifies the owner about the impoundment under Section 5-303(b).
(g) Adoption. The Executive Director may place an abandoned animal for adoption as a pet unless the Board or the Executive Director decides adoption of the animal is not in the best interest of public health or safety. A dog or cat placed for adoption must be altered by a licensed veterinarian, at the expense of the person adopting the animal, within a time specified by the Executive Director. The Executive Director must set the deadline for altering based on the animal’s age, sex, and health, but the deadline must be within 3 months after the adoption. If the owner of an adopted animal does not alter the animal by the deadline, the owner must return the animal to the animal shelter.
(h) Humane euthanasia. The County may dispose of an animal by humane euthanasia under regulations issued with the advice of a licensed veterinarian. The County must not dispose of an animal for commercial or experimental purposes. A licensed veterinarian periodically must review whether the County implements these procedures humanely.
(i) Release defined. In this Section, release means to allow an owner to redeem an impounded animal. (1999 L.M.C., ch. 10, § 1; , § 1; , § 1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 18, §1.)
