§ 6-47. Violations; civil infractions; civil penalties.

(a)

Any violation of this article is a civil infraction.

(b)

Any person who has committed an act in violation of this article may receive a citation from the animal control division by an animal control officer or law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that the person has committed a civil infraction in violation of this article.

(c)

The county general sessions court shall have jurisdiction over all violations of this article.

(d)

Any violation of this article may be punishable by a civil penalty of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00. Each day that any section of this article is violated shall constitute a separate punishable offense.

(e)

Any person issued an animal control ordinance citation may be deemed to be charged with a civil violation and shall comply with the directives on the citation.

(f)

If a person fails to appear in court, such person shall be deemed to have waived their right to contest the citation and in such a case a default judgment may be entered and the judge shall impose a civil penalty at that time. An order to show cause may be issued. If the civil penalty is paid, the case shall be dismissed. If the civil penalty is not paid, judgment may be entered up to the maximum civil penalty.

(Ord. No. O-96-5-101, § 1(22), 6-24-96; Ord. No. O-15-4-101 , § 7, 5-26-15)