Sale of animal at public auction; notice; sale to highest bidder; disposition of proceeds; redemption of animal.

(1) A law enforcement agency which has in its custody or possession an unclaimed animal for not less than 15 days after giving notice as required in section 5, may sell the animal at public auction. (2) Notice of the public auction shall be given in a newspaper of general circulation in the area not less than 21 nor more than 30 days prior to the day of sale. The notice shall list the number and species of animals to be sold and shall specify the time and place of the sale. (3) The animals shall be sold to the highest bidder at the auction. The proceeds derived from the sale of the animals shall be used first to pay any expenses incurred by the law enforcement agency in caring for and keeping the animals; second, to pay the expenses of the sale; and third, any balance remaining shall be paid to the city or township treasurer of the city or township in which the animal was seized and credited to the general fund of that city or township. (4) An animal sold pursuant to this section may be redeemed at any time within 3 months following the sale, if the owner pays the sale purchaser the amount paid at the sale plus a reasonable compensation for the care and keeping of the animal.