Chapter 55 – Animal Protection And Control

55.10 ACCUMULATION OF WASTES. No owner shall allow an accumulation of the waste from animals to become detrimental to the public health and the animal’s health. 55.11 OWNER’S DUTY. It is the duty of the owner of any dog, cat, or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person or any person having knowledge of such bite or attack to report this act to a local health or law enforcement official. It is the duty of physicians and veterinarians to report to the local board of health the existence of any animal known or suspected to be suffering from rabies. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.38) 55.12 CONFINEMENT. If a local board of health receives information that an animal has bitten a person or that a dog or animal is suspected of having rabies, the board shall order the owner to confine such animal in the manner it directs. If the owner fails to confine such animal in the manner directed, the animal shall be apprehended and impounded by such board, and after ten (10) days the board may humanely destroy the animal. If such animal is returned to its owner, the owner shall pay the cost of impoundment. This section does not apply if a police service dog or a horse used by a law enforcement agency and acting in the performance of its duties has bitten a person. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.39) 55.13 AT LARGE: IMPOUNDMENT. Animals found at large in violation of this chapter shall be seized and impounded at the impoundment facilities utilized by the City, or at the discretion of the peace officer, the owner may be served a summons to appear before a proper court to answer charges made thereunder. 55.14 DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS. When an animal has been apprehended and impounded, written notice shall be provided to the owner within two (2) days after impoundment, if the owner’s name and current address can reasonably be determined by accessing a tag or other device that is on or part of the animal. Impounded animals may be recovered by the owner upon payment of impounding costs, and if an unvaccinated dog, by having it immediately vaccinated. If the owner fails to redeem the animal within seven (7) days from the date that the notice is mailed, or if the owner cannot be located within seven days, the animal shall be disposed of in accordance with law or destroyed by euthanasia. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.37, 351.41) 55.15 PET AWARDS PROHIBITED. (Code of Iowa, Ch. 717.E) 1. Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person to award a pet or advertise that a pet may be awarded as any of the following: A. A prize for participating in a game. B. A prize for participating in a fair. C. An inducement or condition for visiting a place of business or attending an event sponsored by a business. D. An inducement or condition for executing a contract which includes provisions unrelated to the ownership, care or disposition of the pet. 2. Exceptions. This section does not apply to any of the following: A. A pet shop licensed pursuant to Section 162.5 of the Code of Iowa if the award of a pet is provided in connection with the sale of a pet on the premises of the pet shop.