§ 4-7. Impounding authority of officers; interference prohibited.

(a)

Animal control officers shall have full and complete authority under the provisions of this chapter to pick up, catch, seize or procure:

(1)

Any animal found neglected or cruelly treated, sick, injured, or in need of immediate medical treatment where the owner refuses to or is unable to provide for such treatment;

(2)

Any animal at large, or any animal not properly confined, restrained or secured, or believed to be a stray;

(3)

Any dangerous dog not maintained in compliance with this chapter;

(4)

Any animal infected with or suspected of carrying rabies or any contagious disease;

(5)

Any animal being observed for rabies not properly quarantined;

(6)

Any animal for which probable cause has been established based on sworn affidavit, that has or is causing injury, or threat of injury to a person, endangering or chasing persons, or causing property damage to property other than that of the animal's owner;

(7)

Any female dog or cat in heat and not properly confined; or

(8)

Any dog being the subject of a dangerous dog investigation where the owner has not or cannot demonstrate an ability to securely contain the animal pending the outcome of the investigation, and cause such animal to be impounded at the Marion County Animal Center.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, obstruct, prevent, hinder or impede any animal control officer, or cause such officer to be interfered with, obstructed, prevented, hindered or impeded, while the officer is apprehending animals or performing any other duties as set forth in this chapter; or to take or attempt to take any animal from any officer or vehicle used to transport animals; or to take or attempt to take any animal from the Marion County Animal Center without proper authority.

(c)

In the event any animal control officer or enforcement officer is in pursuit of any animal not on the animal owner's property, where the animal is running at large and the officer's pursuit involves unauthorized entry into or upon any enclosed and posted land, such event shall not be prima facie evidence of the intention of the officer to commit an act of trespass.

(d)

A person shall not hold, hide or conceal any animal as to which such person knows or has reason to know that the director or an animal control officer is investigating in relation to a violation of this chapter.

(e)

Animal control officers and enforcement officers shall have such further impoundment authority as specifically authorized by any warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 11-55, § 1, 10-18-11; Ord. No. 14-06, § 1, 4-1-14; Ord. No. 16-34, § 1, 10-4-2016)