Sec. 4-23.  Impoundment of animals.

 

(a)   Any police officer or animal control officer may impound a dog, cat or other animal that is in violation of this chapter and may hold said dog, cat or other animal until the court hearing on the offense is over.

 

(b)   Any person whose property has been trespassed upon by any dog, cat or other animal in violation of this chapter or who observes a dog, cat or other animal killing, chasing or injuring livestock, domestic pets, or persons, may immediately apprehend that dog, cat or other animal and hold the dog, cat or other animal until it is delivered to an animal control officer or to any police officer.  Any person who so impounds a dog, cat or other animal must immediately notify the Norfolk Police Division of such impoundment and must turn the dog, cat or other animal over to a police officer or to the animal control officer unless the person impounding the animal identifies the owner of the animal or the person responsible for the animal and signs a statement provided by the police officer or animal control officer taking the responsibility upon themselves to return the animal to its owner or the person responsible for the animal.  Notwithstanding the provision of this subsection, any dog, cat or other animal other­wise subject to impoundment under the terms of this chap­ter may be impounded by the police officer or animal control officer.  Failure to notify the Norfolk Police Division within one hour of having impounded a dog, cat or other animal is an offense.

 

(c)   If an animal control officer or a police officer has probable cause to believe that a dog, cat or other animal is a potentially dangerous animal or a cross dog or cat as set forth in section 4-18 of this Code, then they may impound the dog, cat or other animal and hold the dog, cat or other animal until such hearing on said alleged violations, or until the dog, cat or other animal is disposed of pursuant to the impoundment provision of this chapter.

 

(d)   If an animal control officer or a police officer has probable cause to believe that any animal which is in an unoccupied motor vehicle may be in danger of dying, then they may enter the motor vehicle and impound the animal and leave a notice in the vehicle where the animal may be reclaimed. 

 

Source: Ord. No. 3523, § 24, 2-1-88