Impoundment and redemption of dogs.

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 8-5-11

in effect

Sec. 8-5-11. - Impoundment and redemption of dogs. A. Impoundment. 1. First impoundment. If any dog is found running at large, abandoned or subject to neglect, cruelty or any of the conditions described Section 8-5-3 or is not in compliance with any other provision of this chapter shall be apprehended and impounded in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known, except in cases where an owner can be located within a reasonable amount of time or when exigent circumstances exist preventing the animal services officer from impounding the dog. Such dog shall be held for at least 72 hours during which time the owner may redeem or repossess the same upon payment for, or presentation of, a current license therefor, and payment of reclaim fees for impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. If not reclaimed or redeemed by the owner within such time, the animal will become the property of the shelter and the animal may be designated for disposition by the animal shelter director or their designee. If the dog is less than 12 weeks old and no ownership identification exists, the puppy can be immediately placed for adoption, and a 72 hour stray hold does not apply. 2. Second impoundment. Should a dog belonging to the same owner be picked up for a second time within two years of the date of the first offense, the owner may redeem and repossess the dog upon presentation of a current license thereof and payment of reclaim fees for 2nd impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. 72 hour stray hold provisions as described in subpart 1 still apply. 3. Third impoundment. Should a dog belonging to the same owner be picked up for a third time within three years of the date of the first offense, the owner may redeem and repossess the dog upon payment of reclaim fees for 3rd impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. The owner also must receive a summons for dog running at-large as defined in this chapter. 72 hour stray hold provisions as described in subpart 1 still apply. B. Fees and costs. Impoundment fees for any dog confiscated and held pending a court ruling for violations of section 8-3-1 of this section or any violation of State animal cruelty codes (T.C.A. § 39-14-201, et seq.) must be paid within 72 hours of impoundment for the owner to maintain claim to ownership rights for the animal. If the court determine there is probable cause to proceed with the charges at the owner's first appearance in court, a security bond order will be issued by the presiding judge to cover boarding and additional fees in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. The security bond order shall be in an amount sufficient to cover all expenses from the date of impoundment through the date of the trial and shall be paid within ten days of the issuance of said order or ownership of the pet is forfeited to Memphis Animal Services. Should the trial date be reset for a later date, the owner of the animal will be presented with an updated security bond order at the next scheduled court appearance, which will also require payment within ten days of the issuance of said order or ownership of the pet is forfeited to Memphis Animal Services. C. Sterilization. Any unaltered dog that is not eligible for an exemption to the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance as defined in this chapter will be altered before discharge from Memphis Animal Services, and a fertile permit cannot be purchased after a lawful impound occurs. Additionally, exemption 1 of the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance does not apply for dogs brought into the shelter, if a licensed veterinarian determines the dog is of sufficient age and weight to proceed with sterilization. D. Microchip implant. Before release into the owner's custody, the director of animal services is authorized to have a veterinarian humanely implant any animal lawfully impounded with an electronic microchip that will allow the animal to be positively identified. (Ord. No. 5843, § 1, 7-11-2023)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8AN_CH8-5MEANSE_S8-5-11IMREDOFetched: 10/28/2026