(A) Any person having reasonable grounds to believe a dog is dangerous may petition the Municipal Court for a determination that the dog is dangerous. A petition by an enforcement officer of the City shall be based upon an investigation and a determination by the officer or other officers that reasonable grounds exist to believe the dog to be dangerous.

(B) Any time after the petition is filed, the court may, if it finds there are reasonable grounds to believe that the dog poses a risk of injury to any person or is dangerous as defined in SLCC 6.10.010, order that the animal be impounded on such terms as the court deems necessary to protect public safety.

(C) After notice to the owner or the person found in control of the dog, the Municipal Court shall conduct a hearing. The hearing shall be informal and open to the public. Hearings and appeals shall be conducted, as nearly as practicable, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure in Civil Traffic and Civil Boating Violations. Any owner or person having control of the dog who fails to appear after notice may be deemed to have waived any right to introduce evidence.

(D) A dangerous dog determination may be conducted with and as a part of a criminal proceeding if dangerousness is alleged in the complaint.

(E) Any fee for filing a petition or fees for service of hearing notices pursuant to this section may be deferred or waived by the court. (Ord. 380 § 1, passed 3-14-2018. Code 2012 § 95.05.)