§ 4-169. Burden of proof and owner responsibility.

(a)

Burden of proof. Any animal that has attacked, bitten, or otherwise caused physical injury to a person or another animal, or has chased or approached any person in an apparent attempt to attack or injure that person or in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or a companion animal shall be prima facie dangerous, and the burden of proof as to provocation shall be upon the animal owner.

(b)

Upon a finding that an animal is dangerous, the animal owner:

(1)

May be ordered, among other things, to muzzle the dangerous animal whenever it is off the owner's property so as to prevent the animal from biting any person or other animal.

(2)

At the owner's expense, shall have an identifying microchip implanted under the animal's skin by an authorized veterinarian, if not done already; and the animal shall be spayed or neutered, if not done already, at the owner's expense.

(Code 1993, §§ 4-7.3, 4-7.4; Ord. No. 2011-O-32, 5-10-2011)