(a) Potential nuisance and nuisance dogs shall be declassified when, for a period of one year following the classification, there have been no further nuisance behaviors demonstrated or violations of Sections 505.02 or 506.04 of the Code or Section 955.22 of the Revised Code and, if required, the owner, keeper or harborer has satisfactorily completed obedience training for the classified dog.
(b) Dangerous and vicious dogs shall be declassified when, for a period of four years following the classification, there have been no nuisance, dangerous or vicious dog behaviors demonstrated or violations of Section 505.02 of the Code or section 955.22 of the Revised Code, and the owner or keeper has satisfactorily completed obedience training for the dog classified and has passed the American Kennel Club "Canine Good Citizen" test.
(c) The owner or keeper of the dog seeking declassification shall file a written application with the Division of Police that demonstrates satisfaction, in the chief's discretion, of all required declassification conditions.
(d) Upon declassification, the restrictions for dogs classified as a potential nuisance dog or nuisance dog shall be removed and restrictions on dogs classified as a dangerous or vicious dog shall be removed, with the exception of the insurance requirements.
(e) Upon reasonable determination by the chief that a dog meets the requirements for declassification, the chief shall give the dog's owner or keeper written notice by certified mail, residence service or personal service.
(f) If the chief denies the declassification application, the chief shall give the dog's owner or keeper written notice by certified mail, residence service or personal service notifying the owner or keeper of the right to object to that determination pursuant to Section 506.08. At hearing, the dog's owner or keeper must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that all condition of declassification have been satisfied.
(g) If a declassification application is denied, the owner or keeper may reapply for declassification after a period of six months has elapsed.
(Ord. 1-18. Passed 4-2-2018.)