(A) The Animal Control Officer, after having determined that an animal is dangerous, may proceed in the following manner: the Animal Control Officer shall cause one owner of the animal to be notified in writing or in person that the animal is dangerous and may order the animal seized or make orders as deemed proper. This owner shall be notified as to dates, times, places and parties bitten, and shall be given 14 days to appeal this order by requesting a hearing before an impartial committee, which may include city employees for a review of this determination.
(B) If no appeal is filed, the orders issued will stand or the Animal Control Officer may order the animal destroyed.
(C) If an owner requests a hearing for determination as to the dangerous nature of the animal, the hearing shall be before an impartial hearing committee, which shall set a date for hearing not more than three weeks after demand for the hearing. The records of the Animal Control or City Administrator’s office shall be admissible for consideration by the Animal Control Officer without further foundation. After considering all evidence pertaining to the temperament of the animal, the hearing committee shall make an order as it deems proper. The hearing committee may order that the Animal Control Officer take the animal into custody for destruction, if the animal is not currently in custody. If the animal is ordered into custody for destruction, the owner shall immediately make the animal available to the Animal Control Officer.
(D) It shall be illegal for any person to harbor an animal after it has been determined and found to be a dangerous animal by either the Animal Control Officer or by a hearing committee and ordered into custody for destruction.
(2002 Code, § 6.26) (Ord. 119, Sixth Series, effective 4-27-2010; Ord. 82, Seventh Series, effective 4-5-2019) Penalty, see § 91.99