§ 8-31. County animal control; manager; dog control officer; animal control officers; humane officers.

(a)

County animal control. There is hereby created the county animal control, which shall have primary responsibility for animal control and welfare in the county.

(b)

Appointment of manager. The manager of the county animal control shall be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority. The manager may also be designated by the board of health as the official rabies control officer for the county.

(c)

Powers and duties of manager. The manager shall be primarily responsible, with support from the county manager, or his or her designee, for the enforcement of this chapter; and his or her duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1)

Responsible for the operation of county animal control and the performance of such duties and the keeping of such records as the board of commissioners may require.

(2)

Cooperation with the county board of health in the enforcement of rabies control regulations and of animal control directives.

(3)

Cooperation with animal welfare organizations.

(4)

Taking up and impounding domestic animals which are in violation of this chapter, using any and all means available that are humane in nature.

(5)

Housing domestic animals at county animal control facilities.

(6)

Keeping a record of the number, description and disposition of all domestic animals impounded or otherwise taken into custody, showing in detail in the case of each animal the following:

a.

A general description by sex, breed and approximate age, together with any identification tag, vaccination tag or other marking, if any;

b.

The date of receipt;

c.

The date and manner of disposal;

d.

The name and address of the person reclaiming or adopting;

e.

The fees and costs for care incurred and collected;

f.

Adoption fees received;

g.

The condition of the animal when received;

h.

Any treatment administered to the animal, including any drugs, medication or appliances;

i.

The condition of the animal when reclaimed, redeemed, adopted or purchased; and

j.

Such additional records as the board of commissioners may require.

(d)

Identification. The animal control officers shall identify themselves as such and carry official I.D. while engaged in the execution of their duties.

(e)

Dog control officer. The animal control manager and all animal control officers are hereby designated as dog control officers, and shall carry out all duties provided for by the state responsible dog ownership law for the county or any other local government pursuant to contract or agreement; and his or her duties shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1)

Upon receiving a report of a dangerous dog or vicious dog, to make such investigation and inquiries as may be necessary to determine whether such dog is subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog.

(2)

Determining whether dogs are subject to classification as dangerous or vicious dogs pursuant to the responsible dog ownership law.

(3)

Notifying the dog's owner pursuant to the state responsible dog ownership law in the event that a dog has been classified.

(f)

Enforcement by manager and animal control officers. In addition to other duties, the manager and animal control officers shall have authority to investigate all animal complaints and enforce this chapter.

(Ord. No. 16-008 , 12-19-2016)