Department Of Animal Control: There is hereby created a department of animal control.

Powers Of Animal Control Officials:

The animal control director or any person employed by the department of animal control as an animal control officer shall take the oath of office and shall be vested with the power and authority to enforce this chapter.

The animal control director, his deputies, assistants and animal control officers are hereby authorized and empowered to apprehend and take with them and impound any animal found in violation of this chapter and including licensable dogs for which no license has been procured in accordance with this chapter, or any licensed dogs for any other violation thereof.

In the enforcement of this chapter, any peace officer or the director of animal control or his assistants are authorized to enter onto the open premises of any person to take possession of any dog in violation of this chapter.

Duties Of Animal Control Officials:

The animal control director shall:

Enforce this chapter and perform other responsibilities pursuant thereto.

Supervise the municipal animal shelter under his jurisdiction.

Keep adequate records of all animals impounded and all monies collected.

See that all animals and animal holding facilities in his jurisdiction are licensed, controlled and permitted in accordance with any applicable ordinance and/or regulations.

Establish, in cooperation with the county health department and other interested governmental agencies, adequate measures for rabies immunization and control.

Each animal control officer shall:

Enforce this chapter in all respects pertaining to animal control within the city, including the care and impounding of animals and prevention of cruelty to animals.

Carry out all duties prescribed or delegated by the director.

Interference With Officer Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, molest, hinder, or prevent an animal control official from discharging his duties. It is unlawful for any person to hinder, delay, interfere with or obstruct such officer while engaged in capturing, securing or taking any animal or animals to the animal shelter to be impounded. It shall also be unlawful to break open or in any manner directly or indirectly aid, counsel, advise, or break open any animal shelter or vehicle used for holding, collecting or conveying any animals to the shelter. (Ord. 87-1, 9-8-1987)