Full Statute Name:  District of Columbia Official Code 2001 Edition. Division I. Government of District. Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection. Subtitle E. Animal Control and Protection. Chapter 18. Animal Control. § 8-1805. Impoundment.

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Primary Citation:  DC CODE § 8-1805 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  October, 2023 Alternate Citation:  DC ST § 8-1805 Date Adopted:  1979 Historical: 
Summary: Under this law, the Mayor shall make a prompt and reasonable attempt to locate and notify the owner of the impounded animal, including scanning the animal for a microchip. The Mayor shall deem abandoned any animal impounded and not redeemed by its owner within 7 days of impoundment if such animal is wearing identification. Any animal impounded not wearing identification shall be deemed abandoned if not redeemed by its owner within 5 days of impoundment. An animal deemed abandoned shall become the property of the District of Columbia and may be adopted or disposed of in a humane manner.

(a) The Mayor shall impound any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets, the combination of which exceeds 4 animals, or any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets beyond the number authorized in an animal hobby permit issued pursuant to § 8-1804.01.

(b) Upon impounding an animal, the Mayor shall make a prompt and reasonable attempt to locate and notify the owner of the impounded animal, including scanning the animal for a microchip.

(c) The Mayor may dispose of any wild, sick, or badly injured animal upon its impoundment.

(d) The Mayor shall provide appropriate vaccinations for each animal upon its impoundment.

(e) The Mayor shall provide appropriate veterinary services for each dog wearing a valid license upon its impoundment.

(f) The Mayor shall deem abandoned any animal impounded and not redeemed by its owner within 7 days of impoundment if such animal is wearing identification. If notice is given under subsection (b) of this section, the owner has 7 days from the date of the notice to claim the animal. Any animal impounded not wearing identification shall be deemed abandoned if not redeemed by its owner within 5 days of impoundment. An animal deemed abandoned shall become the property of the District of Columbia and may be adopted or disposed of in a humane manner.

(g)(1) The Mayor shall not release an animal unless it has received a rabies vaccination in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's rabies vaccination schedule.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to puppies or kittens under 4 months of age.

(h) The Mayor shall not release a sick or dangerous animal to anyone other than a licensed veterinarian until reasonably satisfied that it is safe to do so.

(i) The Mayor shall adopt rules for disposing of animals impounded under this section in accordance with § 2-505.

Credits
(Oct. 18, 1979, D.C. Law 3-30, § 6, 26 DCR 765; Sept. 16, 1980, D.C. Law 3-97, § 2(b), 27 DCR 3523; Mar. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 9-236, § 2(b), 40 DCR 614; Dec. 5, 2008, D.C. Law 17-281, § 104(d), 55 DCR 9186; Dec. 20, 2017, D.C. Law 22-37, § 2(g), 64 DCR 11682.)

 

 
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