§ 3621. Issuance of warrant to impound; complaint

(a)(1) The legislative body of a municipality may at any time issue a warrant to one or more police officers, constables, pound keepers, or appointed animal control officers, directing them to proceed forthwith to impound all dogs or wolf-hybrids within the town or city not licensed according to the provisions of this subchapter, except as exempted by section 3587 of this title, and to enter a complaint against the owners or keepers thereof.

(2) A dog or wolf-hybrid impounded by a municipality under this section may be transferred to an animal shelter or rescue organization for the purpose of finding an adoptive home for the dog or wolf-hybrid. If the dog or wolf-hybrid cannot be placed in an adoptive home or transferred to a humane society or rescue organization within ten days, or a greater number of days established by the municipality, the dog or wolf-hybrid may be destroyed in a humane way. The municipality shall not be liable for expenses associated with keeping the dog or wolf-hybrid at the animal shelter or rescue organization beyond the established number of days.

(b) A municipality may waive the license fee for a dog or wolf-hybrid impounded pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for the current year upon a showing of current vaccinations and financial hardship. In the event of waiver due to financial hardship, the State shall not receive its portion of a dog license fee. (Amended 1977, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. April 12, 1978; 1979, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Feb 28, 1980; 1993, No. 213 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. April 1, 1995; 2009, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2013, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)