Columbia Removing animals from custody of animal control officer ordinance (§ 5-8)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article I. In General
In short: It's illegal to take an animal that animal control has legally impounded, whether by force, deceit or any other means, without first getting the animal control officer's permission.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove from the custody of the animal control officer by force, deceit or otherwise, any animal which has been legally impounded by such officer, prior to obtaining the permission of the animal control officer to remove such animal.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-8
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.