§ 8-218. Claiming animal; disposal of unclaimed animals.

After seizure of animals under this section by a law enforcement officer or town constable, the animal shall be impounded. The officer shall notify the owner, personally or through the U.S. mail, if such owner be known to the officer or can be ascertained with reasonable effort, but if such owner is unknown or unascertainable, the officer shall post written notice in three public places in the town, giving a description of the animal, stating where it is impounded and the conditions for its release, after the officer has taken such animal into his possession. If within seven days after such notice the owner does not claim such animal, the officer may dispose of the animal in a proper and humane manner; provided, if an animal before being impounded has bitten a person, the animal shall be retained in the animal shelter for 14 days for observation purposes. Within such times, the owner may reclaim the animal upon payment of impoundment fees, such fees to be established by resolution of the town board. No animal shall be released from the pound without being properly licensed if so required by state law or town ordinance.

(Code 2006, § 7-1-8(c))