§ 14-36. Enforcement.

(a)

The primary responsibility for the enforcement of this article shall be vested in the director. He may, in the exercise of his authority as the director, delegate the enforcement responsibilities of this article to such county employees as he may select.

(b)

If a violation of this article has not been personally witnessed by the director or his authorized representative or other employee of the county, a subpoena shall be issued to the person making the complaint, to be and appear on the day and time set for trial, then and there to testify on behalf of the county. The director shall refuse to respond to anonymous complaints.

(c)

In the event the owner of any dog or animal is not known and the dog or animal is upon the public streets, alleys, sidewalks, school grounds, or other public places or premises or the property of another without that property owner's permission, as prohibited by this article, upon complaint made to or information made known to the animal shelter, the director or his authorized representative may take possession of such dog or animal and impound it in the animal shelter. Once impounded, an animal shall be kept for a period of time as defined in section 14-42 below; thereafter, if the animal is not claimed by anyone after a reasonable effort has been made to locate the owner of the animal as hereinafter provided, the animal may be disposed of in a humane fashion or in accordance with O.C.G.A. tit. 4.

(d)

In all cases of violations of this article, the director shall have the authority to exercise his discretion and may, in addition to or in lieu of impounding any animal, issue a citation to said owners. The citation shall state the violation, the name and address of the owner, and the name of the individual issuing the citation. The municipal court of the City of Fayetteville shall have jurisdiction over all violations of this article.

(Ord. No. 0-26-90, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 0-34-95, § 5-15, 9-18-95)