§ 6.04.220. Redemption/spay neuter fee.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter or by any other law, the owner or person entitled to the control or custody of any animal impounded may, at any time before the sale or other disposition thereof, redeem the same by paying all proper fees assessed by the Animal Control Services. The Animal Control Services shall issue to the owner duplicate receipts for the amount of the fee paid.

(b)

Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the owner will be required to pay a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35.00 in addition to the impound fees imposed under section 6.04.290 of this chapter. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spay/neuter of the animal within thirty (30) days of the redemption date. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period shall be altered at the owner's expense prior to redemption. At the option of the owner, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian.

(c)

Any owner of an impounded animal subject to mandatory spay/neuter under subsection (b) of this section may petition, in writing, for a hearing conducted by the Animal Control Program Manager or his or her designee within three days following notice of the second impoundment. The hearing shall be held within four working days of such petition and shall be subject to the provisions of section 6.04.115, subsections (a) through (g) of this chapter. After the hearing, the Hearing Officer may require that the animal be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense, unless the Hearing Officer determines that good cause exists for not requiring that the animal be spayed or neutered.

(Prior code § 3330.8; Ord. 966, 10/23/51; Ord. 2551, 12/12/78; Ord. 2758, 12/01/81; Ord. 2850, 07/19/83; Ord. 3123, 09/15/87; Ord. 3344, 11/19/91; Ord. 3653, 05/23/95; Ord. 4278, 09/20/05)