§ 6-103. Determination of status, impoundment, redemption or disposition of dangerous dogs.

(a)

Any police officer, animal control officer or other lawfully designated official or representative of the city shall have the right to enter any private property for the purpose of inspecting the property for the presence of dangerous dogs or for the performance of other duties in the enforcement of this article. Any police officer, animal control officer or other lawfully designated official or representative of the city having probable cause to believe that an animal is dangerous shall conduct or cause to be conducted an investigation into the facts of each such case. The owner of the animal shall be notified of the investigation and shall have the opportunity to present evidence as to why the animal should not be determined to be dangerous. The results of this investigation and any such determination shall be made in writing and shall constitute an administrative action of the city, appealable according to law. The results of any investigation with respect to a particular animal shall not bar the city from investigating any subsequent actions of the animal.

(b)

Should any police officer, animal control officer or other designated official or representative of the city have reason to believe that an animal is vicious and may pose a threat of serious harm to persons or other domestic animals, the officer or other official may immediately seize and impound the animal, pending an investigation as described in this section.

(c)

Any police officer, animal control officer or other lawfully designated official or representative of the city, upon complaint by any citizen or on his own initiative, may make inquiries to determine compliance with this article and may seize and impound any animal found in violation of any of its provisions.

(d)

If any animal is caused or permitted or is found to be within the corporate limits of the city and in violation of the provisions of this article, such animal may be apprehended and impounded by any police officer, animal control officer or other designated official of the city, to be held and disposed of as provided in this section.

(e)

If such animal was so impounded, the animal shall be released to the owner thereof only if payment is made within five (5) working days to the city or its designee of such sums as may be designated from time to time by the mayor and city council for compensation for catching or otherwise apprehending such animal and for harboring and caring for such animal on a daily basis during the time if impoundment.

(f)

In addition to or in lieu of impounding an animal found in violation of this article, any police officer, animal control officer or a designated official of the city may issue to the person known to own or be in possession or control of such animal a citation for any violations of this article. Any fines imposed, as set from time to time by the mayor and city council shall be paid within three (3) working days of such citation. If such fine is not paid within the time prescribed, a criminal warrant shall be issued for such person who may, upon conviction of such events before the city court, be punished as provided in section 1.1-8 of this Code.

(g)

All fees and fines imposed pursuant to this section shall be paid by any violator, and all other requirements of this chapter with respect to a dangerous animal shall be met before an animal impounded pursuant to this article shall be released. If such fees and fines are not paid within five (5) working days, then any such animal so impounded may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

(Ord. of 7-5-16(1), § 1)