Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 433 § 433.385 — Impoundment of animals; notice to owner; redeeming animal; disposition of

Impoundment of animals; notice to owner; redeeming animal; disposition of animals. (1) Any animal in violation of ORS 433.365 shall be apprehended and impounded. (2) All animals apprehended and impounded under this section shall be held in adequate and sanitary pounds to be established or contracted for in each county by the governing body of the county. All animals so impounded shall be given proper care and maintenance. (3) When an animal is apprehended and impounded, the owner, if known, shall be given notice of not less than five days from the date of such impounding before the animal is destroyed or otherwise disposed of. An owner appearing to redeem the animal may do so if the provisions of ORS 433.365 are complied with and if the owner pays the expense of keeping the animal during the time it was impounded and in addition thereto, the sum established by the county governing body. If the animal is subject to any other impounding law the requirements for release under that law shall also be met except that the expense of keeping the animal shall be payable only once for the period of impoundment. If the owner does not appear to redeem the animal after the notice provided for herein, or otherwise, after five days, or if the owner is not known, after three days, the governing body of the county may provide for animals impounded to be released to any other person upon the conditions outlined in this subsection or otherwise disposed of in a humane manner. (4) If the owner desires to redeem an animal impounded pursuant to this section or the animal is to be released to any other person as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the person shall post a $20 deposit with the county and obtain possession of the animal for the purpose of complying with ORS 433.365. The county shall refund the deposit to a person who, on or before the eighth day after obtaining possession of the animal, demonstrates proof of rabies inoculation or exemption from the inoculation requirement and, if applicable, proof of purchase of a license as required under ORS 609.100. Failure to demonstrate proof of rabies inoculation or exemption and proof of licensing within the prescribed time shall forfeit the deposit to the county. (5) The governing body of the county shall designate persons responsible for the enforcement of this section. [1971 c.413 §11; 1977 c.189 §7; 2001 c.636 §4]