§ 5. Impoundment of unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs, redemption and disposition of such dogs.

(a)

Any dog found running at large by the Scott County animal control officer without the license tag as required by section three of this ordinance, or any dog which has not been vaccinated against rabies as required by section two of this ordinance may be seized and impounded in the Scott County Animal Shelter, provided that if the owner of the dog can be immediately ascertained and located, a summons may be issued and the dog, in lieu of impoundment, may be released to its owner upon presentation of a valid rabies certificate for such dog and the current license receipt or tag for the dog. The dog shall be held in the Animal Shelter for a period of not less than five (5) days, such period to commence on the day immediately following the day the dog is initially confined in the shelter, unless sooner claimed by the owner thereof, or unless the dog is rabid or suspected of being rabid, in which case the dog shall be held for further observation or disposed of in accordance with State law.

(b)

The operator of the Animal Shelter shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain whether the dog has a collar, tag, license, tattoo or other form of identification. If such identification is found on the dog, the dog shall be held for an additional five (5) days, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. If the rightful owner can be readily identified, the operator shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the animal's confinement at the Animal Shelter.

(c)

Any dog impounded and not rabid nor suspected of being rabid may be redeemed by its owner at any time within the five (5) day period set forth above upon:

(1)

Payment of a boarding fee of Three Dollars ($3.00) per day, beginning with the date of confinement;

(2)

Purchase and presentation of a license tag, if unlicensed; and

(3)

Presentation of a valid rabies vaccination certificate pursuant to this ordinance.

(d)

At the expiration of the five day or ten-day period as applicable, provided above, the dog may be euthanized by one of the methods prescribed or approved by the State Veterinarian as provided by State law, or adopted after purchase and presentation of a license tag and rabies certificate and written application for adoption in accordance with State law, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with State law.

(e)

No provision herein shall prohibit the immediate euthanization of a critically injured or critically ill dog or unowned dog for humane purposes in accordance with State law.

(f)

The Animal Shelter shall be operated in accordance with the requirements of State Law and the regulations of the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Conservation Services.