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of this chapter. Any dog or cat which has been confined in the city pound pursuant to the • provisions of this chapter shall be kept for a period of not less than five (5) days unless sooner claimed by the owner; provided, that no provision herein shall be construed to prohibit the destruction of critically injured or ill dogs or cats for humane purposes. The owners and operators of the pound shall comply with the provisions of Virginia Code S 3.1-796.96 and all applicable regulations promulgated by the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services. [NOTE: The last sentence specifies that the City designated animal shelter must comply with state regulations regarding the operation of pounds]. Sec. 4-4. Animal control officer generally. (a) Pursuant to Virginia Code & 3.1-796.104, the position of animal control officer for the city is hereby created, and vested with the power to enforce Chapter 27.4 of Title 3.1 of the Code of Virginia, all ordinances enacted pursuant to that chapter, and all laws for the protection of domestic animals. The animal control officer and his deputies, if any, shall be appointed as prescribed in such section of the state law. (b) The animal control officer shall maintain complete and accurate records of all actions taken in the enforcement of this chapter and the provisions of state law, including but not limited to records of all dogs found to be aggressive, dangerous or vicious and all official complaints and investigations regarding possible violations of law. • [NOTE: State law has changed the applicable terminology from "animal warden "to "animal control officer"]. [1 Sec. 4-4 44=5. Confinement of dangerous animals. (a) No owner of an animal which is known or reasonably suspected of being dangerous shall suffer or permit such animal to run at large in the city or be kept in the city at any time except in strict confinement in such manner as to be safe for the public at large or any person who may have occasion to go on the premises on which such animal is kept. (b) If the owner of any animal known or reasonably suspected of being dangerous fails to take it into custody after being notified to do so by the animal warden, such animal may be killed by the animal warden if it is deemed necessary for the safety of the public. Upon complaint or warrant alleging that a dangerous animal is being allowed to run at large in the city, or is not being confined in the manner provided by this section, the owner of the animal shall be brought before the judge of the general district court and, after inquiry into the facts, the judge shall order the animal killed by the animal warden or make such further disposition of the case as shall ensure the future safety of the public from danger from such animal. If the owner of the animal cannot be ascertained, the animal shall be taken into custody by the animal warden and, upon its being determined El