1. The animal control officer shall hold an impounded, lost or stray dog for not less than three working days if it was not wearing a valid license tag when impounded and for not less than five working days after notice is given pursuant to this chapter if it was wearing a valid license tag, so that the owner or custodian may claim it prior to other disposition. The animal control officer shall hold any other impounded animal not required to be licensed for not less than three working days.

2. The animal control officer may dispose of humanely, or transfer to a new owner upon payment of the applicable fee, any impounded animal not claimed by its owner or custodian within the prescribed holding time. Animals relinquished by their owners may be humanely destroyed without regard to the prescribed holding time in order to alleviate suffering or to protect other impounded animals from exposure to contagious disease. (Ord. 94, amended, 1982; Prior code §2-28(A); Ord. 97-1, amended, 2000; Ord. 2012-16, amended, 2012)