§ 6-24. Impoundment procedure.

(a)

Impoundment. An animal welfare officer or a city police officer may seize and impound any animal found running at large or any animal that has bitten any person or another animal, or any animal deemed a dangerous dog or any animal which, in the judgment of the animal welfare officer poses an immediate threat to the public. Such animals shall be confined at the city shelter for three days. After three days, any animal that has not been claimed by their owners or an authorized representative (identified in writing by the owner), microchipped or not, shall become the property of the city and the animal welfare officer is hereby authorized to offer the animal for adoption or to humanely have it euthanized and disposed of.

(b)

Abandonment. The owner of an impounded animal who refuses to claim his animal shall be proceeded against for abandonment under state law, including, but limited to the provisions A.C.A § 5-62-101.

(c)

Notification. Upon impounding domestic animals, the animal welfare officer shall make a reasonable effort, if possible, to notify the owners of such animals so impounded, and inform such owners of the condition whereby they may regain custody of such animals.

(d)

After the expiration of three days impoundment, microchipped or not, any animal shall become the property of the city, and the city shall be empowered to place for adoption or to destroy and dispose of said animal as provided for in law and its ordinances. The animal control officer is hereby authorized to place for adoption or to destroy such animal and dispose of the carcass.

(Code 1992, § 4-27; Ord. No. 668, § 1, 4-20-2004; Ord. No. 683, § 1, 9-7-2004; Ord. No. 790, § 1, 6-5-2007; Ord. No. 879, § 1, 12-14-2010; Ord. No. 975, § 2, 6-21-2016; Ord. No. 992, § 2, 6-20-2017 )