(a) In the event the Animal Control Officer reasonably believes that an animal is a vicious animal as that term is defined in § 6-130 of the Code, he is empowered to refer the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of determining whether or not the animal in question should be declared a vicious animal for purposes of this division and § 4-29 of this Code.
(b) Pending such court hearing, the court decision, and any appeal thereof on the issue of whether an animal should be declared a vicious animal, the Animal Control Officer is empowered to seize and impound the animal. The owner of such animal shall be responsible for the reasonable costs and expenses of such impoundment.
(c) Whenever a court of competent jurisdiction determines that an animal is a vicious animal, it shall allow an appropriate time for the appeal of such decision and/or of any penalty imposed by the court as a result of such decision, and, if the court orders such animal to be destroyed, for any medical tests which may need to be performed on the animal.
(`91 Code, § 6-136) (Ord. D-655, § 11, 8-20-90; Ord. D-1372-98, 8-3-98; Ord. D-2505-19, 12-16-19)