(A) Any vicious animal found running at large may be destroyed by any peace officer or animal control officer in the interest of public safety.
(B) The Animal Control Officer may order any owner or person having care, control or custody of any vicious animal to take the animal permanently from the city.
(1) This animal must be removed immediately following receipt of such an order, even if an appeal is initiated. This order may be appealed in writing within ten days to a committee made up of the Chief of Police, the Mayor or his or her representative, and the City Attorney or his or her representative. The committee may uphold, reverse or modify the Animal Control Officer’s order, and may stipulate restrictions on the animal as a condition to allowing the animal to remain in the city.
(2) If the committee upholds the Animal Control Officer’s order, then the owner may appeal the decision of the committee to the City Council. The City Council shall have final authority on all matters.
(3) If the City Council upholds the committee’s order, then the owner or person having care, control or custody shall not bring the animal back inside the city limits.
(C) If the owner or person having care, custody or control of a vicious animal fails to remove the animal as provided for in divisions (A) and (B) above, the animal may be confiscated and/or destroyed.
(1981 Code, § 4.8) Penalty, see § 90.99