The Kitsap Humane Society, a corporation existing under RCW 16.52.020, is appointed as and declared to be the official animal control authority of the city commencing September 1, 1991. (Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

A. The animal control authority shall impound all animals subject to impounding pursuant to city ordinance. Impounded animals shall be provided with proper care, feed and water while so confined. The animal control authority shall collect and dispose of all dead animals found in the city, and if the owner is known a fee may be collected for such services. Sick or injured animals shall be impounded when not in the owner’s possession and may be euthanized at the discretion of the animal control authority; provided, that the animal control authority shall immediately notify the owner, if the owner is known, and if the owner is unknown, make all reasonable effort to locate and notify the owner.

B. The animal control authority is granted authority to establish reasonable fees for the services provided pursuant to this title. In establishing such fees, the animal control authority shall endeavor where possible to make fees conform to those charged in neighboring jurisdictions for similar services. A current schedule of all fees established by the animal control authority pursuant to this title shall be filed by the animal control authority with the city clerk and made available by the clerk for public inspection at all times during normal business hours. (Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

Each employee of the animal control authority over the age of 21 years, except clerks and stenographers, is made a special police officer or marshal of the city, and is charged with the duty of enforcing all city ordinances relating to the control, care, treatment and impounding of animals, but without pay from the city; provided, that the employees shall be first sworn in and provided with a suitable badge of authority furnished by the city, to be withdrawn from the officer at any time by a vote of the majority of the city council present at any meeting of the council. (Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

Upon the impoundment of an animal pursuant to this chapter, the impounding animal control authority shall as soon as possible notify the animal’s owner, if the owner is known, of the animal’s impoundment, and the terms upon which the animal can be redeemed. If the owner of the impounded animal is unknown, the animal control authority shall make reasonable efforts to locate and notify the impounded animal’s owner. (Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

A. The owner of a licensed dog or cat impounded pursuant to this chapter may redeem the licensed dog or cat within seven days from the time of impounding by paying to the animal control authority a redemption fee together with any unpaid applicable license fee. An additional charge per day or part thereof may be imposed.

B. If an impounded licensed dog or cat is not redeemed by the owner within seven days of the time of impoundment, the licensed dog or cat may be adopted by another person or euthanized. (Ord. 2019-13 § 15, 2019: Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

A. The owner of an unlicensed dog or cat, or other domestic animal, impounded pursuant to this chapter may redeem the unlicensed dog or cat, or other domestic animal, within 72 hours from the time of impounding by paying the animal control authority a redemption fee together with any unpaid applicable license fee. An additional charge per day or part thereof may be imposed.

B. If an impounded unlicensed dog or cat, or other domestic animal, is not redeemed by the owner within 72 hours of the time of impoundment, the unlicensed dog or cat, or other domestic animal, may be adopted by another person or euthanized.

C. An animal so impounded which is less than two months of age may be adopted or euthanized at any time at the discretion of the animal control authority.

D. If a feral cat is not redeemed within 24 hours from the time of impounding, then the animal control authority may give or adopt the feral cat to an animal welfare organization, animal shelter, or qualified person, or, alternatively, euthanize the animal. For the purposes of this subsection, “feral cat” means any cat that has no apparent owner or identification and is apparently wild, untamed, unsocialized, unmanageable, and unable to be approached or handled. (Ord. 2019-13 § 16, 2019)

The owner of a horse, cow, goat, or other livestock impounded pursuant to this chapter may redeem the animal within 48 hours from the time of impoundment by paying the animal control authority a fee for each day or part thereof that the animal is detained, plus an impound fee which shall include costs of care and feeding the animal for the days impounded. An additional fee shall be paid to the animal control authority for transportation of animals requiring the use of special equipment for impounding. (Ord. 2019-13 § 17, 2019: Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

A horse, cow, goat, or other livestock not claimed and released upon required payment shall at the expiration of 48 hours be sold at a public auction upon five days’ notice. The notice shall be published in the city’s official newspaper and shall state the time and place of the public auction, and the name of the owner, if known, and if the name of the owner is not known, a statement to that effect. A copy of the notice shall be served upon the owner, if the identity of the owner is known to the animal control authority and the owner can be found in the city, at least one day prior to the public auction. The animal control authority shall deduct from the proceeds of sale all expenses of feeding and caring for the animal and all expenses of advertising and selling the animal, and shall retain the balance in reserve for six months from the date of the sale. If the balance is unclaimed at the expiration of six months, the balance shall revert to the animal control authority for operation of the animal shelter. No such money shall be paid any claimant except upon proof satisfactory to the animal control authority that the claimant is entitled to the same. As an alternative to selling the animal at public auction, the animal control authority may give or adopt the animal to an animal welfare organization, animal shelter, or qualified person or, alternatively, may euthanize the animal. (Ord. 2019-13 § 18, 2019: Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)

A. Any animal that bites or otherwise breaks the skin of a person shall be quarantined for at least ten days from the date of bite, to determine whether the animal is infected with any disease that may have been transmitted to the victim. The place of quarantine shall be established by the animal control authority. After an investigation by the animal control authority, the animal control authority may in its discretion allow the owner of the animal to maintain quarantine.

B. Kennel fees, if any, for the quarantine period shall be paid by the animal’s owner and the release of the animal shall be conditioned upon payment of the kennel fees. (Ord. 91-41 § 4, 1991)