A. Animals Running-at-Large. Animals found running-at-large are subject to immediate impoundment by an animal care and regulation officer or authorized agent providing animal care and regulation or authorized agent providing animal care and regulation contract services to the city. Animals running-at-large without identification shall be impounded at the animal care and regulation shelter for a period of not less than 72 hours, unless sooner claimed by the owner. Animals with identification which are found running-at-large in the city shall be impounded for not less than 120 hours, unless sooner claimed by the owner. Animals not claimed by the owner within the mandatory minimum impoundment period may be forfeited pursuant to WMC 7.32.030.

B. Pursuit of Animals Running-at-Large. An animal care and regulation officer shall not pursue an animal running-at-large onto property posted in accordance with AS 11.46.350(c) or onto property where the property owner expressly refuses access to the animal care and regulation officer unless pursuit of an animal is necessary to protect the public or the health or safety of the animal.

C. Notification. The animal care and regulation office shall make reasonable effort to notify the owner of an impoundment and the conditions under which the owner may retain custody of the animal.

D. Level 5 Classified Animals. All animals being recommended for a Level 5 classification shall be impounded and held at the animal care and regulation shelter. If the owner of an animal being recommended for a Level 5 classification can be located, a hearing before the hearing officer shall be held pursuant to WMC Chapter 7.08 to adjudicate the animal as a Level 5 classification. (Ord. 09-69(AM) § 9, 2009; Ord. 09-50 § 4, 2009; prior code § 12.15.010)