Los Alamitos, California

§ 6.04.070 Impoundment—Disposal.

Upon the impounding of any stray dog, or other animal, the director shall immediately notify the owner thereof, if known, to redeem the dog or other animal within five days; and unless sooner redeemed, the director shall sell the dog or other animal at public or private sale, at such price as he may deem reasonable. At the time of sale of any dog or cat, a spay and neuter deposit shall be required from the purchaser. Such deposit shall be as established by contract with the city of Long Beach or as otherwise set by resolution of the city council. All such deposits shall be deposited in the city of Long Beach animal control program unclaimed altering deposits trust fund. A purchased dog or cat under six months of age at the time it is sold shall be spayed or neutered within six months or the deposit shall be deemed unclaimed and forfeited to the city. Any dog or cat six months of age or over, at the time it is sold, shall be spayed or neutered within sixty days or the deposit shall be deemed unclaimed and forfeited to the city. If a written statement is obtained by the purchaser from a veterinarian that the dog or cat is not suitable for surgery the deposits shall not be deemed forfeited. All unclaimed and forfeited deposits shall be used by the city only for those specific purposes set out in Sections 30503 of the California Food and Agricultural Code. In the event a purchaser cannot be obtained for any dog or cat or any other animal, the director shall destroy such animal and dispose of the carcass. The director may, without waiting for such five-day period to elapse, cause any impounded animal to be destroyed when that official reasonably determines that such animal is unfit for further use by reason of its having been injured, having become infected with a dangerous or communicable disease, having become incurably crippled or having become infirmed on account of advanced age. Such official may likewise so destroy any impounded animal upon receiving the written report of a duly licensed veterinarian that such animal is afflicted with a painful and incurable disease.