§ 6-23. Animal control officer and animal shelter generally.

(a)

The city manager shall employ an officer to be known as the "animal control officer", who shall have the power to enforce this chapter and other ordinances and state laws for the protection of domestic animals. Within the limits of the appropriations therefor, the city manager may also employ one (1) or more deputy animal control officers to assist the animal control officer in animal inspection activities and in animal law enforcement.

(b)

A public animal shelter shall be established and maintained in the city in accordance with the requirements deemed necessary by the city council and Code of Virginia 1950, § 3.2-6546, as amended, and of a type approved by the state veterinarian. The city need not own such public animal shelter but may contract for its establishment with a private group or in conjunction with one (1) or more other local political subdivisions of the state.

(c)

The public animal shelter provided for in this section shall be accessible to the public at reasonable hours during the week.

(d)

The city manager may, subject to the approval of city council, contract with a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or some other qualified entity to provide animal control and/or public animal shelter services.

(Ord. No. 122, § 8; Code 1961, § 4-16; Ord. No. 5862-02, § 1; Ord. No. 6020-04, § 1; Ord. No. 7299-16)

(Ord. No. 122, § 8; Code 1961, § 4-16; Ord. No. 5862-02, § 1; Ord. No. 6020-04, § 1; Ord. No. 7299-16)