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A. A peace officer may seize any stray animal. A stray animal is any animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, except man, that is at large and not wearing a valid license tag. The City will not take ownership or responsibility for a stray animal, but may impound the animal as follows:

1. The peace officer may impound the animal through the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, an animal welfare organization, or an animal shelter.

2. An owner or owner’s agent may reclaim an impounded stray animal within the prescribed reclamation period.

3. Any organization or agency impounding a sick or injured stray animal may destroy the animal as provided by law whenever destroying the animal is necessary to prevent the animal from suffering or to prevent the spread of disease.

B. A peace officer may seize any displaced animal. A displaced animal is any animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, except man, that is seized under circumstances not amounting to animal cruelty pursuant to Section 8-3, and where no person is immediately available, capable and willing to provide shelter and care for the animal. The City will not take ownership or responsibility for a displaced animal, but may facilitate the placement of the animal as follows:

1. The peace officer may place the animal in the custody of the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, an animal welfare organization, or an animal shelter.

2. If the owner is known, the peace officer shall provide notice to the owner that the animal has been placed pursuant to this section and how to reclaim the animal within the prescribed reclamation period. That notice shall include the contact information for the sheltering entity.

C. The City may contract with any organization or agency to care for a stray or displaced animal that is seized pursuant to this section.

D. Any organization or agency impounding a stray animal or sheltering a displaced animal pursuant to this section shall keep the animal for a minimum of 72 hours prior to placing the animal for adoption or otherwise disposing of the animal as permitted by law.

E. Any organization or agency impounding a stray animal or sheltering a displaced animal pursuant to this section may recover all sheltering and veterinary costs of the animal from an owner. (Ord. No. G-6672, § 1, 2020)

State law reference—Impoundment of dogs, A.R.S. § 11-1013.