9.30.040 Impoundment of animals – Notification – Reclaiming – Disposition.
(1) Place of impoundment. Any dog, miniature pig or other animal impounded as authorized by the provisions of Section 9.20.120 shall be confined to the Whitman County Humane Society for not less than:
(a) 144 hours in the case of a dog wearing a license identification tag issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.10.010, or a miniature pig, or
(b) 72 hours in the case of a dog not wearing such a license identification tag
unless reclaimed by its keeper or an authorized representative thereof.
(2) Place of impoundment – domestic cats.
Lost or stray domestic cats exempt from impoundment under the provisions of Section 9.20.120, may be delivered to and received by the Whitman County Humane Society and shall be kept and treated as an impounded animal for not less than:
(a) 144 hours in the case of a domestic cat wearing or bearing a voluntary license identification number as provided for in Section 9.10.015, or
(b) 72 hours in the case of a domestic cat which is not wearing or bearing a voluntary license identification number,
unless reclaimed by its keeper or an authorized representative thereof.
(3) Notification. Upon impoundment of any dog, miniature pig or other animal under the provisions of 9.30.040(1) and (2), the code enforcement officer shall give notice of the impoundment as follows:
(a) as soon as possible after impoundment notify the keeper if known of the impoundment by telephone, or if notification is not possible by telephone then in writing. The notification shall contain a description of the dog, miniature pig, cat, or other animal, any license number, the reason for impoundment, and the terms upon which such dog, cat, or other animal may be reclaimed. Written notice shall be served personally upon the keeper, or if the keeper cannot be found then upon any person of suitable age and discretion residing at the keeper's residence. If personal or substituted service cannot be accomplished then notice shall be served by certified mail return receipt requested.
(4) Reclaiming. A keeper of a dog, miniature pig, cat, or other animal may reclaim such dog, miniature pig, cat, or other animal by paying all:
(a) impound fees, except no impound fees shall be required for domestic cats,
(b) boarding fees, and
(c) applicable license fees as established by resolution of the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9.10.050 and 9.10.060.
(d) show proof of current rabies vaccination pursuant to Section 9.10.070* (not required for miniature pigs).
(5) Disposition. Any dog, miniature pig or other animal which is not claimed by its keeper or an authorized representative thereof within:
(a) 144 hours in the case of animals wearing or bearing license identification numbers, or miniature pigs, or
(b) 72 hours in the case of animals not wearing or bearing license identification numbers
of notice of the impoundment having been given to its keeper shall become the property of the city. Animals will be turned over to the Whitman County Humane Society. (Ord. 14-13 §14, 2014; Ord. 00-25 §12, 2000; Ord. 99-41 §11, 1999; Ord. 87-7 §4, 1987).