(a) As used in this section, "serious injury" has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 955.11.
(b) Upon a resultant death or serious injury of a domestic animal or human, the Police Department shall have the authority but not the duty, in the interest of public safety, to seize the killing/seriously injuring dog and impound it. Any person keeping or harboring a dog sought to be impounded shall give possession of such dog to a police officer or health officer upon demand.
(c) If a dangerous or vicious dog aggressively bites any person or domestic animal, the Police Department shall have the authority but not the duty, in the interest of public safety, to seize the offending dog and impound it. Any person keeping or harboring a dog sought to be impounded shall give possession of such dog to a police officer or health officer upon demand.
(d) The owner, keeper, or harborer of the dog shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with the housing of the dog.
(e) A dog impounded pursuant to division (b) of this section shall remain impounded until there has been a final determination as to the dog's classification or until the owner or keeper provides satisfactory proof to the Police Chief that they have complied with all applicable provisions of Section 618.20 and renders payment for the costs of housing the dog. Upon a final determination, the owner or keeper of an impounded dog shall claim it within 14 calendar days by rendering proof to the Police Chief that they have complied with all applicable provisions of Section 618.20 and payment for the costs of housing the dog. If the dog is not claimed pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the City may dispose of the dog at its discretion.
(f) A dog impounded pursuant to division (c) of this section shall remain impounded until the court makes a final determination as to whether a violation of Section 618.20 has occurred or until the owner or keeper provides satisfactory proof to the Police Chief that they have complied with all applicable provisions of Section 618.20 and renders payment for the costs of housing the dog. Upon a final determination, the owner or keeper of an impounded dog shall claim it within 14 calendar days by rendering proof to the Police Chief that they have complied with all applicable provisions of Section 618.20 and payment for the costs of housing the dog. If the dog is not claimed pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the City may dispose of the dog at its discretion.
(g) Whoever violates division (b) or (c) of this section by refusing or otherwise purposefully failing to give possession of a dog that the Police Department is authorized by such divisions to seize and impound is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 126-2015. Passed 10-13-15.)