§ 7-156. Enforcement authority.

(a)

Any animal control officer, humane officer, or other law enforcement officer is hereby empowered to make whatever inquiry is deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and any such animal control officer or law enforcement officer is hereby empowered to seize and impound any animal whose owner fails to comply with the provisions hereof.

(b)

In the event that an animal control officer or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that an animal is dangerous or vicious, the director of the animal shelter department shall initiate proceedings before the administrative hearing officer to determine whether or not the animal should be declared and classified as dangerous or vicious. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter.

(c)

Any law enforcement officer may destroy any dangerous or vicious animal found in violation of this article which cannot be safely taken up or impounded; but it shall be unlawful for any other person to kill any animal unless such measure is for the protection of a person, domesticated animal or livestock.

(d)

In the event that the owner or keeper of the animal refuses to surrender the animal to the animal control or humane officer, the officer may request a search and seizure warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction and to seize the animal upon execution of the warrant.

(Ord. No. 24117, § 2, 9-21-11)