Ordinances-1984-125

(1) Animals under the control of a law enforcement or military agency. (2) The keeping of guard dogs. However, guard dogs must be kept within a structure, a fixed enclosure, at all times, and any guard dog found at large may be processed as a vicious animal pursuant to this Ordinance. Any premises guarded by a guard dog shall be permanently posted with a sign containing the words "Guard Dog", "Vicious Dog", or words of similar effect, and the owner of such premises shall inform the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the mayor of Tiffin, or his designee that a guard dog is on-duty on the premises. SECTION VIII. Seizure, Impoundment, and Disposition of Vicious Animals. A. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the mayor of Tiffin, or his designee, in his discretion or upon the receipt of complaint alleging that a particular animal is a vicious animal as defined herein, may initiate proceedings to declare such animal as a vicious animal. A hearing on the matter shall be conducted by the mayor of Tiffin or his designee. The person, firm, or corporation owning, keeping, sheltering, or harboring the animal in question shall not be given less than 72 hours written notice of the time and place of said hearing. Said notice shall set forth the description of the animal in question and the basis for the allegation of viciousness. The notice shall also set forth that if the animal is determined to be vicious, the owner will be required to remove it from the city or allow it to be destroyed. The notice shall be served upon any adult residing at the premises where the animal is located, or may be posted on those premises if no adult is present to accept service. B. If, after hearing, the mayor of Tiffin or his designee determines that an animal is vicious, the mayor of Tiffin or his designee shall order the person, firm, or corporation owning, sheltering, harboring, or keeping the animal to remove it from the city and cause it to be destroyed in a humane manner. The order shall immediately be served upon the individual or entity against whom issued in the same manner as the notice of hearing. If the order is not complied with within three