§ 14:502. Seizure and disposition of animal cruelly treated.

(a)

When a person is charged with cruelty to animals, said person's animal may be seized by the arresting officer and held pending final disposition of the charge. The seizing officer shall appoint a licensed veterinarian or other suitable custodian to care for any such animal. The custodian shall retain custody of the animal for the purpose of evidence upon the trial, subject to order of the court. All costs incurred in boarding and treatment for any seized animal pending disposition of any animal cruelty charge, upon conviction of the accused, shall be borne by the person so convicted. If a seized animal is unable to humanely survive the final disposition of the animal cruelty charge, the court may order that such animal be humanely put to death, but only upon the certification of a licensed veterinarian either that the animal is not likely to survive or that in his professional judgment, by reason of the physical condition of the animal, it should be humanely euthanized.

(b)

Upon a person's conviction of cruelty to animals, it shall be proper for the court, in its discretion, to order the forfeiture and final determination of the custody of any animal found to be cruelly treated as part of the sentence.

(c)

In the event of the acquittal or final discharge of the case without conviction of the accused, the court shall, on demand, direct the delivery of any animal held in custody to the owner thereof.

(Ord. No. 9634 § 1, 5-26-93; Ord. No. 15384, § 6, 9-12-12)