A. The owner of any vicious animal impounded for being vicious and found running at large may not redeem the animal from the animal shelter or its authorized agent unless the municipal court or another court of competent jurisdiction, upon hearing, authorizes such redemption. The animal control officer shall stay the destruction of the vicious animal pending said hearing if the owner agrees in writing to pay boarding fees as determined by the animal shelter or its authorized agent for the duration of the impoundment. A vicious animal will not be put up for adoption.
B. Any dog or other animal alleged to be vicious or dangerous may be proceeded against in the municipal court, after a complaint has been duly filed therein by any person having knowledge thereof. If the court shall find that, at such time:
1. The dog or other animal has attacked a person or animal; and
a. The person or animal so attacked was not at the time trespassing upon the property of the owner or person having control of such dog or animal; or
b. It cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the person or animal so attacked was provoking or teasing such dog or other animal; or
2. The dog or other animal is of such vicious and fierce disposition as to attack human beings or animals without provocation, then the court shall have the authority to order such dog or other animal kept muzzled or that such dog or other animal be kept within a sufficient enclosure. In addition, the Court may require that the owner of the vicious animal have the animal obtain a registered microchip, within fifteen (15) days, which must show current ownership information including: Owner name, address, phone number (if available) and the description of the pet,
a. If such dog or other animal has bitten or attacked a human being or animal, the court may order that it be delivered to ah animal control officer and destroyed by him.
3. Any person who wilfully violates the order of the court under these provisions may be punished for contempt of court. The court shall also have the authority to have the dog or other animal destroyed if such person refuses to comply with the court's order. In addition, the court may also impose fines and costs pursuant to section 1-108 of this code and section 4-806 of this part. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000; amd. Ord. 1837, 12-13-2022)