City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 10
Chapter 10.74
Section 10.74.090
 

Title 10 Regulation of Activities

Division V. Code Enforcement and Animal Regulations

Chapter 10.74 Offenses Involving Animals

Section 10.74.090 Impounding of dogs – Notice of owner or keeper – Redemption – Fee
  1. The director may impound any dog(s) committing any of the acts prohibited by this code or chapter 16.08 RCW, and any dog determined by the director to be in danger of being subjected to cruel treatment as defined by this chapter or chapter 16.52 RCW or abandoned under 16.54 RCW, or found to be sick, injured or dead.
  1. The director upon impounding a dog shall record the breed, color and sex of the dog, and whether or not the dog is wearing a current license tag. If the dog is currently licensed, the director shall also record the name and address of the owner or keeper and the number of the license tag. If the dog is not returned to its owner or keeper, the director shall notify the owner or keeper either by mail, telephone or in-person that the dog has been impounded and where it may be redeemed. Any dog identified as currently licensed and impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be held for the owner or keeper for at least one hundred twenty hours from the time of impoundment. Any unlicensed dog shall be held for the owner or keeper for at least seventy-two hours from the time of impoundment.
  1. Any impounded dog not redeemed after the expiration of the holding period as provided in subsection (B) of this section shall be deemed abandoned and ownership shall be vested in SCRAPS, and with the approval of the director the dog may be adopted out, transferred to an animal shelter or animal rescue whose standards for euthanasia are consistent with SMC 10.74.110(E). All adoptions shall be conducted pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.064.
  1. Notwithstanding the holding periods referenced in subsection (B) of this section, the director may authorize any unlicensed impounded dog be humanely euthanized if a veterinarian licensed in the state of Washington determines the dog is severely injured, sick, diseased, or suffering.  The director may authorize any unlicensed impounded dog be humanely euthanized if a veterinarian licensed in the state of Washington determines the dog is an untreatable threat to the safety of other animals or people and such determination is presented to and approved by a majority vote of the SCRAPs Advisory Board. 
  1. Any dog impounded pursuant to this section may be redeemed by the owner or keeper upon compliance with the redemption procedures in Spokane County Code Section 5.04.110 and payment of all redemption fees as prescribed in the department fee schedule.
  1. Any dog running at large during a rabies quarantine shall be immediately impounded by SCRAPS and kept at the animal care and control facility or an animal shelter for the remainder of the quarantine at the owner's or keeper's expense.

Date Passed: Monday, September 25, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, September 25, 2023

ORD C36445 Section 2