A. The animal owner or the responsible person in charge of the animal may contest the Notice to Appear through a Hearing Officer, who shall be the City Manager or his or her designee, by paying the penalty amount listed on the Notice of Violation or similar document, and by filing a written appeal with the City Manager or designee within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the Notice to Appear was mailed or delivered. The appeal request shall contain:
1. A specific identification number of the subject Notice to Appear.
2. The name and address of the appellant.
3. A statement of appellant's legal interest in the animal.
4. A statement in ordinary and concise language of the specific(s) or action protested and the grounds for contesting the citation, together with all material facts in support thereof.
5. The date and signatures of the appellant.
B. As soon as practical after receiving the notice appealing the Notice to Appear, the City Manager or designee, who shall act as a Hearing Officer, shall set a date for the appeal to be heard, which shall not be less than seven (7) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days from the date the notice of appeal was filed. The Hearing Officer shall give each appellant written notice of the time and the place of the hearing at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing, either by causing a copy of such notice to be delivered to the appellant personally or by mailing a copy thereof, postage prepaid, addressed to the appellant at his/her address shown on the Notice to Appear. Continuances of the hearing may be granted by the Hearing Officer on request of the appellant for good cause shown or on the Hearing Officer's motion.
[Ord. No. 500, 9/8/10; Ord. No. 521, 10/23/13.]