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A. Following the declaration of a potentially dangerous animal and the exhaustion of the appeal therefrom, the owner of a potentially dangerous animal shall obtain a permit for such animal from the Auditor and shall be required to pay the fee for such permit in the amount of $250.00 to the Auditor or the Auditor's designee. In addition, the owner of a potentially dangerous animal shall pay an annual renewal fee for such permit in the amount of $250.00 to the Auditor or the Auditor's designee. A permit will be issued to the owner of a potentially dangerous animal upon payment of the permit fees if the owner provides the following:

1. Proof that the animal has been microchipped and microchip number is provided.

2. Two current, color, digital photographs in electronic format of the animal (minimum 3" x 5" in size), for identification purposes;

3. Proof of current rabies vaccination;

4. Proof the animal has been spayed or neutered; and

5. Proof that the owner has obtained a brightly colored collar with current license tag.

The animal must wear the collar with current license tag at all times.

B. The animal control authority may impose any or all of the following restrictions upon the owner of a potentially dangerous animal:

1. Training. The animal control authority may require the owner of a potentially dangerous animal and the animal to attend, complete, and pay all costs associated with an obedience training class. The animal control authority shall pre-approve any choice of class by the owner of the animal, and proof of satisfactory completion of such training shall be provided to the animal control authority, even if similar training has been completed by the animal in the past.

2. Restraint. The animal control authority may require the owner of the potentially dangerous animal to muzzle the animal whenever the animal goes beyond the owner's property.

3. Confinement. The animal control authority may require that the owner of a potentially dangerous animal keep the animal within a proper enclosure as defined in PCC 6.02.010 while on the owner's property.

4. Warning. The animal control authority may require that the owner of a potentially dangerous animal post a warning sign as described in PCC 6.02.010.

5. Liability Insurance. The animal control authority may require that the owner of a potentially dangerous animal purchase a policy of liability insurance (such as homeowner's insurance) issued by an insurer qualified under Title 48 RCW in an amount of up to $250,000.00, insuring the owner for any personal injuries inflicted by the potentially dangerous animal.

C. The animal control authority may inspect the owner's premises to verify compliance with this Section.

D. Petition to Vacate the Declaration. Where an owner has obtained a potentially dangerous animal permit and has been in compliance with the requirements of this Section for three consecutive years, the owner may submit a written petition to vacate the potentially dangerous animal declaration and to lift the associated ownership requirements.

1. The petition shall be submitted to the animal control authority.

2. The animal control authority will forward the petition, along with any comments, objections, and recommendations, to the Examiner.

3. The animal control authority may request that a public hearing be scheduled to hear the petition.

4. The Examiner may, in his discretion, grant the petition where the petitioner demonstrates, by a preponderance of evidence, that the animal no longer poses a substantial danger. Among the factors that the Examiner may consider is the age of the animal, the animal and owner's successful completion of an obedience training class, evidence of aggressive behavior or lack thereof, and any other relevant evidence.

5. The Examiner shall issue a decision granting or denying the petition.

(Ord. 2019-66s § 2 (part), 2019; Ord. 2013-10s § 5 (part), 2013)