§ 14-52. Penalties.

(a)

Citation penalties.

(1)

Unless otherwise stated elsewhere in this Article, a violation of this article is a civil infraction.

(2)

The maximum civil penalty for a civil infraction is $500.00.

(3)

If a Person who has committed a civil infraction does not contest the Citation, the civil penalty shall be the amount established by the Board for the civil infraction.

(4)

By resolution, the Board shall establish the amount of any civil penalty for a civil infraction.

(5)

In addition to the civil penalties set by resolution of the Board, there is hereby imposed a surcharge of $5.00 upon each civil penalty imposed for violation of this article. Such surcharges shall be used to pay the costs of training for Animal Services Officers.

(6)

All civil fines and penalties shall be deposited into the County general fund.

(7)

Upon a third violation of Section 14-41 within a period of 18 months for allowing an animal to run At Large, or a third violation of Section 14-44, the Owner may, in addition to the fines imposed, be ordered to do any or all of the following:

a.

Provide proof to Animal Services that the Animal has been sterilized.

b.

Complete a class or classes pertaining to pet ownership/training and/or care or any other class specified by the Court.

c.

Appear at Animal Services at designated dates and times to provide a written statement that the Animal(s) is properly confined or otherwise cared for.

d.

Complete community service work at any nonprofit agency of the Owner's choice, if oversight and monitoring of such a program is available.

e.

Limit the number of Domestic Animals in the Owner's household.

f.

Tattoo or microchip the Animal(s).

(8)

Upon a fourth or subsequent violation of Section 14-41 for allowing an Animal(s) to run At Large within a period of 18 months, or upon a fourth or subsequent violation of Section 14-44, or upon a fourth or subsequent violation, in addition to the penalties referenced above, the Court may order that animal(s) be forfeited to the custody of Animal Services and placed for adoption or otherwise humanely disposed of should the Court find that the owner is unfit or unwilling to properly confine or care for the animal.

(Ord. No. 95-042, § 22, 5-9-1994; Ord. No. 97-044, § 1(22), 6-17-1997; Ord. No. 2009-050, § 11, 10-13-2009; Ord. No. 2010-053, § 7, 9-15-2010; Ord. No. 2015-089, § 7, 1-27-2016)