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<br />D. Notice. The animal control officer shall provide <br />notice of impoundment of a vicious animal as <br />required by Section 6.12.110. <br /> <br />E. Court findinqs; release of animal; destruction. <br /> <br />1. If a complaint has been filed in the municipal <br />court against the owner of an animal impounded <br />for violation of subsection A., whether filed <br />by a complaining citizen or by the animal <br />control officer or police officer, the animal <br />shall not be released from impoundment or <br />disposed of except on the order of the <br />municipal judge, and payment of all requisite <br />fees, charges and costs under Section <br />6. 12.120, in addition to any penal ties for <br />violation of this chapter. <br /> <br />2. If the fees and charges are not paid within <br />three (3) days after an order releasing the <br />animal, it shall be deemed an unclaimed animal <br />under Section 6.12.130 .A. Such an order <br />releasing an animal shall not occur without <br />twenty-four (24) hours' notice to the <br />Department of Public Safety and the city <br />attorney's municipal court office, and an <br />opportuni ty to oppose release based on <br />character of the animal, prior offenses <br />involving the same owner or animal, improper <br />care or prior unpaid fines, fees or charges. <br /> <br />3. The municipal judge may, upon making a finding <br />that such animal is a vicious animal, order <br />the animal to be destroyed in a humane manner. <br /> <br />4. When, either at a pretrial hearing for release <br />or destruction or the trial itself, an animal <br />has been found by the municipal judge to have <br />bitten a human, and a finding is made that the <br />defenses set forth in subsection B. are not <br />applicable, the animal shall be destroyed <br />unless the municipal judge finds, by a <br />preponderance of the evidence, that the judge <br />has reasonable assurance that the animal can <br />be safely maintained without danger to the <br />community and in compliance with subsection G. <br /> <br />5. In determining whether the animal can be <br />safely maintained by its owner, the judge <br />shall consider the requirements of subsection <br />G., and all relevant and reliable evidence, <br />whether or not the same is admissible at <br /> <br />3 <br />