(A) Within two days of an impoundment under this subchapter, the CEO shall notify the animal’s owner in writing of the impoundment.
(B) (1) The owner of an impounded animal shall have the right to file, within five days after receiving notice, a written request for a hearing to contest the impoundment, which hearing shall be before the Municipal Judge of the city.
(2) The impoundment hearing shall be informal and strict rules of evidence shall not apply. The owner may be represented by counsel, present oral and written evidence and cross-examination witnesses.
(3) The Municipal Judge shall issue a decision within two days after the close of the hearing under this section and shall notify the owner in writing of the decision.
(4) After considering all of the relevant evidence, the Municipal Judge may order the destruction of the impounded animal or may release the animal to its owner, conditional on the owner complying with the requirements for keeping a vicious animal, as set forth in § 90.47 of this chapter, or complying with any other requirements necessary to protect the public health or safety or may unconditionally release the animal to its owner.
(5) If the owner of an animal impounded under this subchapter fails to appear at a hearing or fails to request a hearing, the animal shall be destroyed.
(Ord. 2013-04, passed 2-9-2013)