A. If after diligent effort the animal control agent is unable to capture an animal at large, whether licensed or unlicensed, and if said animal shows signs of aggression toward the animal control agent, and/or citizen in the community, sufficient to place any person in reasonable apprehension of bodily injury, the animal control officer may immediately destroy the animal. If such destroyed animal is found to be licensed, the owner shall be promptly notified.

B. Any person wishing to have their animal(s) destroyed by the animal control officer may do so upon payment of fees regulated in the BMC ordinance of fees and charges, accompanied by a waiver to relinquish said animal to the city of Bethel and Bethel police department.

C. Upon delivery of an animal to the animal control shelter when no additional facilities exist for the confining of more animals, the animal control officer may destroy summarily whichever animal has been confined at the animal control shelter for the longest period of time, for purposes of providing a place to confine the newly captured animals. Said summary destruction shall occur notwithstanding the provisions of BMC 6.04.070(A) otherwise allowing four (4) days for redemption.

D. Reasonable efforts to notify the owner(s) of a licensed animal will be made prior to destroying said animal. [Ord. 23-08 § 2, 2023; Ord. 11-12 § 2.]