20 (1) The minimum redemption period shall be three days, excluding the day on which the dog or cat was impounded, or such longer period as the regulations prescribe and holidays shall not be included in calculating any redemption period.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (1). Idem (2) The council of a local municipality may by by-law fix a redemption period that is longer than the minimum redemption period prescribed by or under this Act and shall file a copy of any such by-law with the Director.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (2). Repeal or amendment of by-law (3) Except with the approval in writing of the Director, no by-law referred to in subsection (2) shall be repealed or amended.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (3). Notification by operator (4) Where the operator of a pound has impounded a dog or cat that has a tag, name plate or other means of identification, the operator shall, (a) notify the nearest office of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or any society affiliated therewith, except where the pound is operated by such society or affiliated society; and (b) take all reasonable steps to find the owner of the dog or cat and shall forthwith notify the owner, if found, that the dog or cat has been impounded.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (4). Dog or cat not to be destroyed (5) During the redemption period and subject to subsections (7) to (7.4), the operator of a pound shall not destroy or cause or permit to be destroyed any dog or cat that is in the pound but the operator may return the dog or cat to the person who owned it before it came into the operator’s possession, subject to the payment of such damages, fines and expenses as are required by law.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (5); 2005, c. 2, s. 2 (3). Idem (6) After the redemption period has expired and subject to subsections (7) to (7.4), the operator of a pound shall not destroy or cause or permit to be destroyed any dog or cat that is in the pound but the operator may, (a) return the dog or cat to the person who owned it before it came into the possession of the operator of the pound, subject to the payment of such damages, fines and expenses as are required by law; (b) sell the dog or cat, dispose of it by gift or hold it in possession for sale or disposal by gift to a purchaser or donee in good faith, (i) as a pet, (ii) for use in hunting, or (iii) for working purposes; or (c) sell the dog or cat to the operator of a registered research facility in Ontario who has requested the operator of the pound to sell a dog or cat, as the case may be.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (6); 2005, c. 2, s. 2 (4). Where dog or cat may be destroyed (7) The operator of a pound may destroy or cause or permit to be destroyed any dog or cat that has been impounded in the pound where, (a) the person who owned the dog or cat before it came into the possession of the operator of the pound has requested in writing that the dog or cat be destroyed; (b) an inspector or veterinarian has ordered that the dog or cat be destroyed under subsection (11); (c) the dog or cat has been impounded in the pound for the redemption period and the operator of the pound has satisfied all requests referred to in clause (6) (c) from operators of research facilities; or (d) during the redemption period, the dog or cat is in a pound and, (i) is ill or injured and in the operator’s opinion is incapable of being so cured or healed as to live thereafter without suffering, and (ii) the operator has satisfied all requests referred to in clause (6) (c) from operators of research facilities.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (7). Transfers of pit pulls (7.1) No pit bull may be transferred under, (a) clause 14 (3) (b); (b) subsection (5) of this section; or (c) clause (6) (a) or (b) of this section.  2005, c. 2, s. 2 (5). Same (7.2) The operator of a pound who believes it has possession of a pit bull and who has found the person who owned the dog before it was delivered to the pound shall provide the owner with an opportunity to satisfy the pound that, (a) the dog is not a pit bull; or (b) the dog is a restricted pit bull and the owner has complied with all of the requirements of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act and the regulations under it relating to pit bulls.  2005, c. 2, s. 2 (5). Same (7.3) If the owner satisfies the operator of the pound that either of clause (7.2) (a) or (b) apply, the operator shall return the dog to the owner, subject to the payment of such damages, fines and expenses as are required by law, unless the operator has reason to believe that the return of the dog would pose a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals.  2005, c. 2, s. 2 (5). Same (7.4) Where the operator of a pound believes it has possession of a pit bull and that it should not return the pit bull under subsection (7.3), the operator of the pound shall do one of the following with the dog: 1. Destroy the dog. 2. Transfer the dog to a person who is resident outside Ontario in a jurisdiction in which ownership and possession of the pit bull is lawful, where the person is acquiring the dog, in good faith, in order that it be used as a pet or in hunting or for working purposes. 3. Transfer the dog in accordance with clause 20 (6) (c). 4. Transfer the dog in accordance with the permission to transfer restricted pit bulls given by section 9 of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act.  2005, c. 2, s. 2 (5). Sale price of dog or cat (8) Where the operator of a pound sells a dog or cat to the operator of a research facility under subsection (6), the price of the dog or cat, (a) where no maximum price has been prescribed in the regulations in respect of the dog or cat, shall not exceed a price that is reasonable having regard to all the circumstances; or (b) shall not exceed the maximum price prescribed in the regulations in respect of the dog or cat.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (8). Additional amount payable (9) In addition to the price paid for a dog or cat under clause (8) (b), the operator of a pound may require the operator of a research facility to pay such amount as is prescribed in the regulations in respect of the care, treatment, food and accommodation of a dog or cat.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (9). No payment to be made to operator of pound (10) Where a dog or cat is sold or otherwise disposed of in a manner referred to in subsection (6), no person shall make any payment in respect of the dog or cat to the operator of the pound or any person employed therein but shall make such payment in the manner and to such other person as is prescribed in the regulations.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (10). Order for destruction of dog or cat (11) An inspector or veterinarian may order a dog or cat to be destroyed, (a) where, during the redemption period, the dog or cat is in a pound and is ill or injured and, in the opinion of the inspector or veterinarian, is incapable of being so cured or healed as to live thereafter without suffering; or (b) where the dog or cat, (i) is in a pound, supply facility or research facility, (ii) has not, where it is in a pound, been redeemed by its owner within the redemption period, and (iii) is, in the opinion of the inspector or veterinarian, not suitable for use in research by reason of ill health, injury, malnutrition, excessive age or other infirmity.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (11). Identification of dog or cat (12) Where the operator of a pound has possession of a dog or cat that is impounded pursuant to a by-law of a local municipality or the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, the operator shall at all times identify the dog or cat in such manner as is prescribed in the regulations.  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (12); 2005, c. 2, s. 2 (6). Exception as to certain animals (13) This section does not apply to an animal that by reason of being suspected of being infected with any communicable disease is confined in a pound pursuant to the Health Protection and Promotion Act or the Animal Disease and Protection Act (Canada).  R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22, s. 20 (13); 2017, c. 11, Sched. 3, s. 10. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2005, c. 2, s. 2 (3-6) - 9/03/2005 2017, c. 11, Sched. 3, s. 10 - 30/05/2017