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To amend City Code § 4-277, concerning the disposition of unlicensed dogs and cats found at large, for the purpose of removing the requirement that the City euthanize an animal upon request and payment of the fee by the owner.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That section 4-277 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and hereby is amended as follows:
Sec. 4-277. Disposition of unlicensed dogs and cats found at large.
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer or any other officer to capture for proper disposition any dog or cat of unknown ownership found running at large on which a license required by Chapter 26, Article XIII, has not been paid. However, the animal control officer or other officer may deliver such dog or cat to any person in the City who will pay the required license tax on such dog or cat, with the understanding that, should the legal owner thereafter claim the dog or cat and prove ownership, the legal owner may recover such dog or cat by paying to the person to whom it was delivered by the animal control officer the amount of the license tax paid and a reasonable charge for the keeping of the dog or cat while in such person’s possession. Any person, animal control officer or other officer euthanizing a dog or cat under this article shall cremate, bury or sanitarily dispose of the dog or cat; provided, however, that, prior to disposition by euthanasia or otherwise, all the applicable requirements under State law and under this chapter have been satisfied. [Upon request by an owner, the City animal shelter will euthanize an animal for a fee comparably charged by the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.]
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.