(A) The Animal Care and Control Authority may determine that an animal is a public nuisance or a vicious animal. If an animal is determined to be a public nuisance or vicious, the owner shall have the right to appeal, to the County Commissioners or a Board of Appeals appointed by the County Commissioners or town councils (when applicable in the incorporated limits of a town or city) within ten days. The request for appeal shall be made in writing and received on or before the tenth day. A date and time will be set for an appeal hearing.
(B) The governing body, following the hearing described in division (A) above, but no later than 30 days after such hearing, will issue a decision which will include a determination of the status of the animal as a public nuisance or vicious and give reasons therefor.
(C) The owner of a public nuisance animal shall be required to have the animal humanely euthanized or turned over to the Animal Care and Control Authority to be disposed of at its discretion within ten days of the receipt of notice of a determination that the animal is a public nuisance.
(D) If the owner refuses or neglects to have a public nuisance animal destroyed, or turned over to the Animal Care and Control Authority as herein provided, the Animal Care and Control Authority may take the animal into its custody, by any lawful means necessary, wherever found. The owner of the animal shall be liable for any expenses or damages incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(2004 Code, § 81-15) (Ord. 26, passed 1-21-1980; Ord. 02-23, passed 11-26-2002; Ord. 06-15, passed 11-28-2006) Penalty, see § 90.99