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remove the animal, where reasonable cause exists to believe the animal may die if not <br />• immediately removed. <br />(b) The animal control officer or law enforcement officer removing the animal <br />shall then impound the animal and leave in a prominent place on the motor vehicle a <br />written notice of the animal's impoundment and where and when the animal may be <br />reclaimed. The owner or person reclaiming the animal shall be responsible for any costs <br />associated with the removal, impoundment and treatment of the animal. <br />[NOTE: This new section does not have a specific counterpart under state law, but is <br />within the City's general authority to prevent cruelty to animals and to seize an animal <br />when there is a direct and immediate threat to its life]. <br />Sec. 4-20. Seizure and impoundment and disposition of animals; notice and hearing <br />required. <br />(a) Any animal found abandoned, cruelly treated, or rendered in such a condition <br />as to constitute a direct and immediate threat to its life, safety or health may be seized <br />pursuant to section 3.1-796.115 of the Code of Virginia by the animal control officer or <br />any law enforcement officer. Upon seizin or r impounding an animal, the animal control <br />officer or law enforcement officer shall petition the City General District Court for a <br />hearing. The hearing shalt be not more than ten (10) business days from the date of the <br />• seizure of the animal, and shall determine whether the animal has been abandoned, has <br />been cruelly treated or has not been provided adequate care. <br />(b) Upon the seizure of an animal pursuant to this section the animal control <br />officer or law enforcement officer shall cause to be served upon the person with a right of <br />property in the animal or the custodian of the animal notice of the hearing in the manner <br />prescribed by Virginia Code $ 3.1-796.115. <br />(c) If the Court determines that the animal has been neither abandoned, cruelly <br />treated nor deprived of adequate care, the animal shall be returned to the owner. If the <br />Court determines that the animal has been abandoned, cruelly treated or deprived of <br />adequate care, the disposition of the animal shall be as nrovided in Virginia Code & 3.1- <br />796.115 <br />[NOTE: This new section tracks the state procedure for the seizure, impoundment and <br />disposition of neglected or abused animals]. <br />Sec. 4-21. Burial or cremation of dead animals and fowl. <br />(a) When the owner of any animal or grown fowl which has died knows of such <br />death, such owner shall forthwith have its body cremated or buried, and if he fails to do <br />so, any judge of the general district court, after notice to the owner if he can be <br />12 <br />