§ 4-11. Procedures for biting animals; impoundment and disposition of vicious or dangerous dogs.
(a)
Any person attacked by an animal or witnessing an animal attacking a human shall notify the authorities immediately. That animal, when identified, shall be impounded and quarantined by the shelter, or may be quarantined by a veterinarian upon owner request and expense for a period of ten days for a determination of rabies.
(b)
An animal control officer or law enforcement officer may impound a vicious or dangerous dog immediately without a warrant when circumstances require protection of the public. Definitional factors are to be considered along with circumstances and facts which would lead a reasonable person to conclude that danger is imminent or probable.
(c)
The vicious or dangerous animal may also be impounded pursuant to a lawfully issued search and seizure warrant if a ministerial recorder, municipal judge or magistrate issues a warrant for an owner for a violation of 4-7(a)(1) or if an animal control officer or law enforcement officer determines that an animal has dangerous propensities pursuant to 4-11(b) and initiates a criminal process charging document to the owner for violation of 4-7)(a)(1).
(d)
If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the owner to be harboring a vicious or dangerous animal, the animal may not be redeemed.
(Ord. No. 2001-17, 7-10-01)