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Chapter 4 <br />Lee County Code <br />Animals <br />(5) All costs of impoundment and care of the animal will be charged to its <br />harborer regardless of whether the animal is claimed by or returned to <br />said harborer. In the event the animal is reclaimed, such costs shall be <br />paid in full prior to the harborer taking possession of the animal. If the animal <br />is not reclaimed, the cost of impoundment and care shall be considered a debt to <br />the county and collectable in a civil action. <br />Sec. 4-43. Allowing dangerous animals to be unrestrained. <br />(a) It is unlawful for any owner to possess a dangerous animal, as <br />defined in this Chapter, unless it is restrained. <br />(b) Animal Services shall immediately impound any unrestrained dangerous <br />animal at the owner's expense, except as provided below. <br />(c) As an alternative to impoundment, Animal Services shall notify the <br />owner in writing that the dangerous animal is required to be confined in a <br />secure enclosure complying with Section 4-63. The owner also shall be <br />notified that a sign stating that a dangerous animal is on the premises <br />must be purchased at the owner's expense. Proper signage must be approved <br />by Animal Services and posted on the secure enclosure. <br />(d) The owner shall have 30 days from the date of notification to <br />provide a secure enclosure. The animal deemed "dangerous" shall be under <br />constant restraint on the owner's property during this period. <br />(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, Animal Services <br />may in its sole discretion impound a dangerous animal and harbor it at the <br />owner's expense pending the owner's construction of a secure enclosure.If <br />an animal is impounded under this Section, the owner shall be given <br />written notice that he may reclaim the animal if a secure enclosure is <br />provided within 30 days. The owner shall be given written notice that <br />failure to provide a secure enclosure within 30 days will result in the <br />animal being euthanized. <br />(f) Appeals allowed. <br />(1) An owner may appeal from a determination by Animal Services <br />that an animal is dangerous. The appeal shall be to a panel <br />consisting of three members of the Board of Health, one of which <br />must be a licensed veterinarian. <br />(2) An appeal must be in writing and be made to Animal Services <br />within three business days of issuance of the Notice of Violation. <br />The Appeals Board will hold a hearing on the appeal within ten <br />business days, if practical. <br />(3) If, by majority vote, an animal is determined not to be <br />dangerous, the owner will be relieved of any previous order to <br />construct a secure enclosure and if the animal has been impounded, <br />it shall be immediately returned upon payment of boarding fees <br />incurred prior to notice of appeal being given. <br />(4) If, by majority vote, an animal is determined to be dangerous, <br />and the animal has been impounded, it will promptly be altered and <br />micro -chipped at the owner's expense. If an animal is determined to <br />be dangerous,but is still in the owner's custody, the owner shall <br />provide to Animal Services within 30 days satisfactory proof the <br />animal has been altered and microchipped. <br />11 <br />