(A) Basis of summons.
(1) The Winona County District Court shall issue a summons to a dog owner commanding the owner to appear before the court to show cause why the dog should not be seized by a police officer, or otherwise disposed of as authorized by this code upon receiving a complaint that any of the following conditions exist:
(a) A dog at any time has destroyed property or habitually trespassed, damaging property of persons other than the owner;
(b) A dog at any time has attacked or bitten a person off the owner’s or custodian’s premises;
(c) A dog is vicious or shows vicious habits or molests pedestrians or interferes with vehicles on public streets or highways;
(d) A dog is a public nuisance; or
(e) A dog is running at large in violation of this code.
(2) A summons shall be returnable not less than 2 nor more than 6 days from the summons date and shall be served at least 2 days before the required appearance.
(B) Order.
(1) Upon a hearing and finding the complaint facts true, the court may order the dog destroyed, order the owner or custodian to remove the dog from the city or order the owner or custodian to keep the dog confined to a designated place.
(2) If the owner or custodian violates the order, a police officer may impound the dog. The provisions of this part are in addition to and supplement other provisions of this chapter.
(C) Costs. Costs of the proceeding specified by this subchapter shall be assessed against the owner or custodian, if the facts in the complaint are found to be true; otherwise, costs shall be assessed against the complainant.
(1987 Code, § 403.09) (Am. Ord. 625, passed 9-8-2020)