(a) When any person, being the owner or having custody or control of a dog, is charged with a violation of this chapter, the court may, upon motion of any party or its own motion, order the seizure and impoundment of the dog pending trial.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a Law Enforcement Officer or Animal Control Officer from seizing or destroying any animal which presents an immediate risk of physical harm to any person or property.
(c) Any dog that attacks and injures any person, or companion animal, as defined in ORC Section 959.131(A)(1) shall be humanely destroyed when, in the court's judgment, such dog represents a continuing threat of serious harm to persons or companion animals. The Director of Public Safety-Service or designee, may petition the court of competent jurisdiction for an order to humanely destroy any dog impounded pursuant to this chapter which represents a threat of harm to any person caring for such animal. The court may order any dog that kills or causes serious physical harm to any person, other than a person committing a criminal trespass or other crime of violence upon the premises of the owner of such dog, humanely destroyed.
(d) Once the dog is designated dangerous or vicious and is reported to the County, the Cuyahoga County Animal Warden will be charged with enforcing State regulations regarding a dog that has been moved out of the City to another jurisdiction. The Animal Control Officer has the authority to retrieve a dog from any municipality to be impounded pending appeals and to coordinate efforts with any other municipality to retrieve the dog.
(Ord. 50-18. Passed 11-26-18.)