(A) Appeals of animal services civil citations shall be heard within 30 days of the notice of appeal, unless a continuance is mutually agreed upon. The appeal hearing shall be presided over by a hearing officer designated by the Sheriff with the decision being rendered by a committee of at least three members of the Citizen Advisory Committee.
(1) All testimony offered in a hearing held pursuant to this subchapter shall be given under oath and recorded by tape recording or any other reasonable manner. The hearing shall be open to the public. The person requesting the hearing may be represented by an attorney.
(2) The Sheriff or animal protective services officer shall have the burden of proving that this chapter has been violated and that the proposed sanction is in accordance with this chapter.
(3) The person requesting the hearing will then be given the opportunity to prove that this chapter has not been violated and/or that the sanction is not in compliance with this chapter. The person requesting the hearing may admit the violation and confine his or her proof to showing that the sanction is not in accordance with this chapter. The Sheriff will then be given the opportunity to address any conflicts or inconsistencies created by the evidence or statements.
(B) The Committee will render a decision and a notice of decision will be furnished to all parties concerned (complainant, bite victim, animal owner, and the like). If the sanctions/penalties are upheld, the animal owner will have 20 days to pay any fines or fees before collection efforts are initiated. The animal owner may further appeal the decision of the Committee to the Superior Court within ten days of the service of the notice of decision.
(Ord. 2015-03, passed 7-7-2015)