A. The animal care services manager is hereby authorized and empowered to impound any animal, independently of any other authority, if the animal poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public.
B. When any animal is in the custody of Animal Care Services pending an appeal hearing on a declaration of potentially dangerous or dangerous animal, any outstanding charges for services performed by Animal Care Services pursuant to this article shall be paid prior to the release of the animal if ordered by the administrative hearing officer. If such costs are not paid within five calendar days of the order, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of. If the animal is not to be returned to the owner, the costs of its impoundment may be waived, adjusted or collected by the animal care services manager.
In the event that no appeal of a declaration is filed by an owner within five calendar days of the issuance of the declaration by the manager, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of. The costs of its impoundment may be waived, adjusted or collected by the animal care services manager. (Ord. 2003-044 § 3; prior code § 6.09.105)