6.08.030 Vicious dogs running at large.

It is unlawful for any person owning, possession or having custody or control of any dangerous or vicious dog to allow or permit such dog to be or go at large within the city.

A. Suspension or Revocation of License. The city council shall have the right and power to suspend and revoke any dog license issued under the provisions of this chapter if at any time it appears to the council or if the council at any time finds that any dog described or referred to in any dog license, or for which any dog license is or may be issued, is vicious, dangerous and apt to bite or injure any person.

B. Impoundment. Whenever any dog, in either the written opinion of the poundmaster or the council, filed with the animal control officer, is vicious, dangerous and apt to bite or injure any person, and is permitted to go at large or is kept in such manner as to constitute an apparent menace to any person, such dog may be immediately impounded by the poundmaster or his duly authorized agents, representatives or assistants.

C. Notice of Hearing. As soon as it is reasonably possible after any such dog is so impounded, or a written opinion is filed with the animal control officer, the owner of such dog, the persons harboring such dog, the persons to whom a license for such dog was issued, or any person whose name appears therein, shall be notified (either personally or by registered mail addressed to such person at the address shown in such license) of the fact of such impounding or of the filing of such opinion and that such person or any person interested may appear at a hearing before the council at a meeting to be specified in such notice (and which is to be held within not more than ten days from the date of such notice) and show cause, if any, why such dog should not be destroyed. Such notification shall also contain or have attached thereto a copy of any opinion so filed.

D. Hearing. Upon such hearing the council shall hear all persons who appear and desire to be heard and shall thereupon decide whether such dog shall be released, destroyed or otherwise disposed of. Its decision after such hearing shall be final and conclusive.

E. Refund of License Fee. In the event the council after such hearing orders such dog destroyed or otherwise removed from the city or revokes the license for such dog, the council shall also, at the same time, order the refunding of the pro rata portion of the license fee paid for the license for such dog for the remainder of the license period ensuing after the date of such order.

F. Right and Power to Protect Public. The city council finds and determines that the reservation of the right and power made in this section is necessary in order to protect the public peace, health and safety of its inhabitants, not only on account of physical danger from vicious and dangerous dogs, but also because of the suppression and combatting of the menace of rabies.

A violation of this section shall be an infraction. (Prior code § 4-8.1)