§ 10-36. Animal control unit; unit commander; dog control officer; animal control officers; humane officers.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

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

    (b)

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

    (c)

    Powers and duties of unit manager. The unit manager shall be primarily responsible, with support from the director of the department of public safety, for the enforcement of this chapter; and his duties shall include but not limited to the following:

    (1)

    Responsible for the operation of the animal shelter 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 animals which are in violation of this chapter, using any and all means available that are humane in nature.

    (5)

    Housing animals at the animal shelter, or at any facility designated by CCAC to function or serve as an auxiliary shelter.

    (6)

    Keeping a record of the number, description and disposition of all 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 charges;

    f.

    The proceeds of sales 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 wear uniforms and badges containing individual names while engaged in the execution of their duties. The unit manager and assistant manager shall possess badges for use in the execution of their duties, but shall not necessarily wear uniforms.

    (e)

    Dog control officer. The unit manager is hereby designated the responsibility of dog control officer, and shall carry out all duties provided for by the state dangerous dog control law for the county or any other local government pursuant to contract or agreement; and his duties shall include, but not be limited to the following:

    (1)

    Upon receiving a report of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog, to make such investigation and inquiries as may be necessary to identify dangerous dogs and dangerous dog owners within the dog control officer's jurisdiction.

    (2)

    Notifying the dog's owner pursuant to the state dangerous dog control law when the dog has been classified.

    (f)

    Enforcement by unit manager, animal control officer, humane officers. In addition to other duties, the unit manager, animal control officers and humane officers shall have authority to investigate all animal complaints and enforce the animal control ordinance and state dangerous dog law as applied in this chapter.

(Ord. of 9-23-80, § 4; Ord. of 6-11-85; Ord. of 10-24-89; Res. of 11-9-93; Code 1977, § 3-5-4; Ord. of 5-24-05)