(a) Any person desiring to bring a dog to live in the City which has been previously declared to be a nuisance dog, dangerous dog, vicious dog, or similar designation in another jurisdiction, under the provisions of Ohio R.C. 955.11 et seq., or comparable local ordinance, must notify the Police Department prior to moving the dog to the City.
(b) The Police Chief shall have authority to determine whether a previously classified dog has engaged in the behaviors specified in Sections 618.17 or 618.21. This determination may be based upon an investigation that includes observation of and testimony about the dog's behavior, including the dog's upbringing and the owner’s or keeper's control of the dog, and other relevant evidence as determined by the Police Chief. The owner or keeper of the dog shall provide the Police Chief with all information requested related to that dog.
(1) The description of the dog;
(2) The level of classification;
(3) The facts upon which the classification is based;
(4) The availability of a hearing to object to the classification;
(5) The restrictions placed on the dog as a result of the classification;
(6) The penalties for violation of the restrictions; and
(7) The availability of declassification procedures.
(e) If a dog is classified pursuant to division (c) of this section, the owner or keeper of the dog shall have the right to an administrative hearing to object to the designation pursuant to Section 618.25. At hearing, the dog's owner or keeper must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that the classification as determined by the Police Chief does not match the dog's previous behavior or classification.
(f) Whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 132-2015. Passed 10-13-15.)