Chapter 5. Animal Control - Regulations

Except as provided in Section 4, a person may not possess or sell a live Northern Snakehead fish.

A person may not introduce or release, or possess for introduction or release into any waters in the County a live Northern Snakehead fish.

Any person possessing a live Northern Snakehead fish must humanely dispose of the fish.

Any person violating this regulation is guilty of a Class A violation.

Microchip — Means a small computer chip inserted into or under an animal’s skin that:

Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Animal — Has the meaning set forth in section 5-202 of the Code.

Owner — Has the meaning set forth in section 5-101 of the Code.

Division — Means the Animal Services Division of the Department of Police.

Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Animals. The owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal must have a microchip implanted in the animal for identification, unless the Director determines that it is medically inappropriate. The name of the microchip manufacturer and identification number of the microchip must be provided to the Division. Unless otherwise specified by the Director, the microchip must be implanted within 72 hours of the Division determining the animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous and the manufacturer’s name and microchip identification number must be provided to the Division within 48 hours of the insertion of the microchip. If the microchip is not implanted by the owner, the dog may be seized pursuant to section 5-301(c) of the Code and the microchip may be implanted by the Division.

Impounded Animals. Impounded dogs and cats found running at large, and all dogs and cats claimed by their owners pursuant to section 5-304 of the Code, must be implanted with a microchip by the Division prior to the animal being released to the owner.

Adopted Animals. All animals placed for adoption by the Division pursuant to section 5- 304(g) of the Code must be permanently identified with a microchip.

Other Animals. The Director of the Division may order the microchipping of an animal under any other circumstances where, in his judgment, microchipping is in the best interest of the public or the owner of the animal.

Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Animals. The owner is responsible for payment of all costs associated with the purchase, implantation, and registration of a microchip implanted in a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal.

Stray or Lost Animals. In the case of an unlicensed, stray, or lost animal, all costs associated with the purchase, implantation, and registration of a microchip will be borne by the owner and shall be taxed as additional costs and shall be collected prior to the animal being released.

Adopted Animals. Costs associated with microchipping animals to be adopted will be included in costs associated with the adoption process and collected at the time of the adoption.

Other Animals. In all other circumstances where the Director has ordered microchipping the costs associated with the purchase, implantation, and registration of a microchip will be the responsibility of the owner.

A fee of $10.00 shall be charged for the insertion of a microchip by the Division or its contractor. This fee includes the cost of the microchip.

Animals wi1l be euthanized with an intravenous or intracardiac injection of sodium pentobarbitol in sufficient volume and strength to cause the immediate death of the animal.

Those animals unable to be euthanized with sodium pentobarbitol due to age, size, or species, will be euthanized using inhalant agents, specifically chloroform.

Drugs/agents must be used and maintained under any State, Federal and manufacturer's guidelines, procedures and requirements.

Each person euthanizing animals must be trained in proper use and technique and will be certified by a licensed veterinarian before performing euthanasia.

The County contractor will collect a $25 field service fee, in addition to the current impoundment and board fees, from any owner redeeming their dog/cat from the County Animal Shelter that has been impounded by an animal control officer or the County contractor.

The County contractor will remit to the County all field service fees collected by depositing the fees into an account specified by the County. The County contractor will provide the County a copy of the deposit slip for each deposit made to the County account.

The County contractor will, on a weekly basis, provide the Department of Animal Control copies of all animal information logs containing the names and addresses of dog/cat owners who failed to redeem their pets but are subject to the field service fee and impoundment and board charges.

The Department of Animal Control will, on a monthly basis, provide the Office of Finance a list of the names and addresses of dog/cat owners who failed to redeem their pets but are subject to the field service fee and impoundment and board charges.

The Department of Finance will through their normal billing and collection procedures collect the field service fee and impoundment and board charges from those dog/cat owners who failed to redeem their pets but are subject to the fees and charges.

The Department of Finance will, on a monthly basis, provide the Department of Animal Control with a list of the pet owners who have paid the service fee and impoundment and board charges, and a list of the pet owners delinquent in their payment.