§ 14-9. Dangerous and vicious dogs—Identification and classification; notice; hearing, citation, impound.

(a)

Identification and classification. Upon receiving a report of a dog believed to be subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog within a dog control officer's jurisdiction, the dog control officer shall make such investigations as necessary to determine whether such dog is subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog.

(b)

Notice to owner. When a dog control officer determines that a dog is subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog, the dog control officer shall either mail (certified mail) or deliver by personal sheriff's service a dated notice to the dog's owner within 72 hours. Such notice shall include a summary of the dog control officer's determination and shall state that the owner shall be informed of the right to request a hearing from the board of health, or animal control board or the Probate Court, as designated by the governing authority to hear such cases, for such jurisdiction where the dog was found or confiscated within seven days after the date shown on the notice. The notice shall provide a form for requesting the hearing and shall state that if a hearing is not requested within the allotted time, the dog control officer's determination shall become effective for all purposes under this chapter. If an owner cannot be located within ten days of a dog control officer's determination that a dog is subject to classification as a dangerous dog or vicious dog, such dog may be released to an animal shelter or humanely euthanized, as determined by the dog control officer.

(c)

Citation and impound. Additionally, owners of dogs classified as dangerous and vicious should be expected to be issued citations for nuisance, failure to exercise reasonable care, or for violation of any other applicable section of this chapter. The animal control officer may, but is not required to immediately impound the dog pending compliance with this chapter.

(Ord. of 9-18-2014(2))