§ 6-155. Seizure and impoundment of a dangerous dog

(a)

The director shall seize and impound or order seizure and impoundment, at the licensee's or owner's expense, of any dog previously determined to be dangerous if:

(1)

The licensee or owner violates any provision of this article or Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended; or

(2)

The dog causes bodily injury to any person.

(b)

If a previously determined dangerous dog has been seized and impounded under this section, the hearing officer shall conduct a hearing to determine if the dog should be returned to the licensee or owner or humanely euthanized. The hearing must be conducted within eight business days after the date of seizure, and the hearing officer shall provide written notice of the hearing either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the licensee or owner. In no event shall the hearing be conducted less than five business days after the notice has been delivered to the licensee or owner.

(c)

At the conclusion of a hearing required under this section, the hearing officer may order that the dog either be returned to the licensee or owner in accordance with subsection (d) of this section or be humanely euthanized.

(d)

A dangerous dog seized and impounded under this section shall not be returned to the licensee or owner until the licensee or owner pays all fees incurred for impoundment of the dog and complies with all requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog set forth in this article and Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended. If all impoundment fees have not been paid and all requirements have not been met within ten business days after the hearing officer issues the order to return the dog to the licensee or owner, the hearing officer may cause the dog to be humanely euthanized.

(Ord. No. 2014-244, § 2(Exh. A), 3-26-2014)