Section 5: Staff with Responsibility for Animal Protection
Article 17
1. In order facilitate the execution of matters concerning animal protection and control, such as on-the-spot inspections conducted in accordance with the regulations outlined in Paragraph 1 of Article 13, or on-the-spot surveys conducted in accordance with the regulations outlined in the preceding article, local public bodies may appoint staff to posts with titles such as "animal protection manager", etc. (In the following paragraph, such staff are referred to as "staff with responsibility for animal protection".)
2. Staff with responsibility for animal protection should be appointed from among the staff of public bodies who have professional knowledge concerning the proper care and keeping of animals such as veterinary knowledge, etc.
Chapter 3: Measures Taken by Prefectures, etc.
(Taking Custody of Dogs and Cats)
Article 18
1. Prefectures, etc. (meaning prefectures and designated cities, cores cites as designated under the Local Government Law, Article 252-22-1 [hereinafter, "core cities"] and other cities as designated by law [including special districts, hereinafter: the same]) are required to take custody of dogs or cats when so required by their owners. In such cases, prefectural governors, etc. (including mayors of designated cities, core cities and other cities as designated by law [hereinafter: the same]) may designate the places at which the dogs or cats are to be taken into custody.
2. The provision in the preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the prefecture, etc., is requested by the finder of a dog or cat or any other person to take custody of the dog or cat in question if the owner is unknown.
3. Governors of prefectures may request whatever cooperation is necessary from mayors of cities towns and villages (including special districts) (with the exception of mayors of designated cities, core cities and other cities as designated by law, as outlined in Paragraph 1) concerning taking custody of dogs and cats as stipulated in Paragraph 1 (including cases where the preceding paragraph applies mutatis mutandis; the same provision to apply hereinafter in Paragraphs 5 and 6, below).
4. Prefectural governors, etc. may commission no-profit juridical persons established for the protection of animals, or other persons, to take custody of dogs and cats as provided in Paragraph 1.
5. Prefectures, etc. may charge a fee as provided by ordinance with respect to taking custody of dogs and cats as provided in Paragraph 1.
6. The Prime Minister may, after consultation with the heads of the administrative organs concerned, prescribe such matters as are necessary with respect to the measures to be taken when it is requested that dogs or cats be taken into custody as provided in Paragraph 1.