(1) Any sick or injured animal found by a peace officer or animal control officer off the premises of its owner shall be delivered to its owner if it is feasible to do so. Any such animal for which the owner is either unknown or cannot be reached after reasonable attempts to do so, may be impounded. The director shall determine whether the animal is so severely injured or incurably crippled that the humane thing to do would be to destroy the animal. If the director reasonably believes the animal should be destroyed, the animal may be destroyed immediately. If the director reasonably believes that the animal should not be destroyed and that treatment is necessary, the animal may be delivered by the animal regulation authority to a veterinarian for medical treatment. If the veterinarian determines that treatment should be given, such treatment may be given; provided, however, the animal may be destroyed if not claimed by its owner within 72 hours after being delivered to the veterinarian.

(2) Any peace officer or animal control officer may humanely destroy any animal too severely injured to move and not on the property of its owner, when the owner is either unknown or cannot be reached after reasonable attempts to do so.

(3) Arrangements for fees, selection of veterinarians, liability of veterinarians, etc., shall be as determined by separate contracts between the animal regulation authority and individual veterinarians.

(4) The owner of the animal shall be liable to the veterinarian and to the animal regulation authority for all expenses which are incurred for the care of said animal.