§ 66.30. Appeals procedures.

(a) The owner or custodian of an animal that has been declared potentially dangerous or dangerous may appeal the declaration and request a hearing. The appeal request must be submitted in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days of notification. If a hearing is requested, MACC shall schedule a hearing within fourteen (14) calendar days, unless a later hearing date is mutually agreed upon. Appeals shall consist of an evidentiary hearing before an independent hearing officer retained by the City of Minneapolis.

(1)

A hearing fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) shall be paid prior to scheduling the hearing.

(2)

Individuals receiving means-tested public assistance or households with limited income may receive a waiver of appeal fees upon approval by MACC.

(3)

The hearing officer may set reasonable limits on the amount of evidence that may be submitted and the length of testimony offered in accordance with Chapter 2 of this Code.

(4)

The hearing officer shall have authority to affirm, reverse, modify, or amend the declaration or order as appropriate and to establish specific requirements or conditions.

(b)

Any time after a declaration has been issued MACC may seize a declared animal. All applicable fees and costs shall be the responsibility of the owner or custodian of the animal. The animal shall not be released until all fees are paid in full and compliance with all provisions of this Code is achieved. All animals seized pursuant to this section may be disposed of by MACC after fourteen (14) calendar days of notification of declaration when either the animal is not properly registered or an appeal has not been properly submitted pursuant to this section.

(c)

In the event that the declaration is overturned, all fees will be reviewed by the hearing officer or the hearing officer's designee.

(d)

The owner of the animal shall be notified by telephone of the hearing results within three (3) business days and in writing within ten (10) business days.

(e)

All decisions shall constitute the final decision of the City of Minneapolis. ( Ord. No. 2016-009 , § 1, 2-12-16)