1. In the event that a dangerous animal or vicious animal is found at large upon public property, park property, public right-of-way, or the property of someone other than its owner, thereby creating a hazard to person and property, such animal may, in the discretion of the Mayor or Police Officer, be destroyed if it cannot be confined or captured. The City shall be under no duty to attempt the confinement or capture of a dangerous animal or vicious animal found at large, nor shall it have a duty to notify the owner of such animal prior to its destruction.
2. Upon the complaint of any individual that a person is keeping, sheltering, or harboring a vicious animal or dangerous animal on premises in the City, the Mayor or Police Officer shall cause the matter to be investigated.
3. After investigation, if the facts indicate that the person named in the complaint is keeping, sheltering or harboring a dangerous or vicious animal within the City, the Mayor or Police Officer shall order the person to remove such animal within three (3) days of receipt of such an order.
4. Such order shall contain a finding that the animal is vicious or dangerous, a description of the animal, a description of the acts relied upon in determining the animal is vicious, a statement to the owner to safely remove the animal from the city limits within three (3) days or destroy the animal with three (3) days of receiving order, a copy of this section, and a statement advising the owner of the right to request a hearing.
5. Such order and notice shall not be required where such animal has previously caused serious physical harm or death to any person, in which case the Mayor of Police Officer shall cause the animal to be immediately seized and impounded or destroyed if seizure and impoundment are not possible without risk of serious physical harm or death to any person.
6. This order shall be sent by certified mail or delivered in person.
7. Any owner advised that the owner's animal is declared vicious or dangerous may, upon request, appeal to the Council. A request for hearing must be made in writing and delivered to the office of the City Clerk within three (3) days of receipt of the order or it will be conclusively presumed that the animal is vicious or dangerous. The Appeal shall be heard before the Council at a time and place fixed by the Council. The findings of the Council shall be conclusive.