(a) Immediately after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, and during any appeal of a dangerous dog determination, the person shall:
(1) Restrain the dangerous dog at all times:
a. On a leash in the immediate control of a person; or
b. In a secure enclosure as defined in § 6-1; and
(2) Secure the dangerous dog with a muzzle in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog nor interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal when the dangerous dog is taken off the property of the owner for any reason;
(b) Not later than the 30th day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:
(1) Register the dangerous dog with the animal care and control authority and pay an annual registration fee of $500;
(2) Obtain and maintain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal care and control authority;
(3) Spay or neuter the dangerous dog;
(4) Post signs in four-inch letters on all sides of the secure enclosure warning of the presence of dangerous dogs and shall include a symbol of dangerous dogs understandable by young children; and
(5) Comply with all other requirements of this chapter.
(c) If the director determines that the owner of a dangerous dog has not complied with subsection (a) or (b) within the required times after learning that he or she is the owner of a dangerous dog, the director shall provide written notice of such determination to the owner. Said owner shall, within 15 days of notice, deliver the dog to the animal care and control authority which shall refer the case to the municipal court for notice and hearing.
(d) The animal care and control authority may request the owner of a dangerous dog to show proof of compliance with subsections (a) and (b) above. If proof is requested, after the expiration of three days, if the animal care and control authority determines that the owner of a dangerous dog has not sufficiently presented proof that he or she is in compliance with subsections (a) and (b) above, the director shall provide written notice of such determination to the owner. Said owner shall, within 15 days of notice, deliver the dog to the animal care and control authority which shall refer the case to the municipal court for notice and hearing.
(e) If, after notice and hearing as provided by § 6-15.5, the court finds that the owner of a dangerous dog has failed to comply with subsections (c) and (d) above, the court shall order the animal care and control authority to seize the dog and shall issue a warrant authorizing the seizure. The animal care and control authority shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions until the court orders the disposition of the dog.
(Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 1, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)