(A) In the event that a public law enforcement officer, or the Animal Warden, has probable cause to believe that a dangerous dog is being harbored in the city in violation of this subchapter, the official may:
(1) Order the violation immediately corrected by having a law enforcement officer cite the owner or keeper to appear in court for the violation; or
(2) If the violation cannot be immediately corrected and the dog is posing imminent serious threat to human beings or other domestic animals, the dog may be seized and impounded, in which case the owner or keeper will be cited to appear in court for the violation. At the owner’s request and expense, the impoundment may be at a veterinarian or licensed kennel of the owner’s choosing. If the court rules that the dog is not dangerous as defined, it will be released to the owner upon payment to the Animal Warden of the expense of keeping the dog, pursuant to a schedule of those costs. If the court rules that the dog is dangerous as defined, the dog will be released to the owner after payment of any fees and penalties, and upon presentation of proof by the owner or keeper that the dog will be kept restrained or confined as specified in this subchapter.
(B) If, within seven days after impoundment, the owner or keeper of the alleged dangerous dog fails to either provide proof that the dog will henceforth be kept restrained or confined in compliance with the provisions of this subchapter or fails to reclaim it from the Department of Animal Protection and Control after impoundment, it will be humanely euthanized.
(Ord. 2012-09, passed 11-26-2012) Penalty, see § 91.99