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2023 ORDINANCE Page 15 of 19 <br /> <br />seized animal is deemed abandoned and the owner's interest in the animal is forfeited to the city by <br />operation of law. If the respondent does not meet its burden of proof, the court may order the animal <br />returned to the owner at no cost to the owner, subject to conditions set by the court. If the court orders <br />the return of an animal to the owner, the court may also order: <br />A. Reasonable attorney fees for the owner; and <br />B. A full refund of the bond posted pursuant to this subsection (5) by the owner for the <br />care of the animal. <br /> d. i. If a bond has been posted in accordance with this subsection (5), subsequent court <br />proceedings shall be given court calendar priority so long as the animal remains in the custody of the <br />city and the city may draw from the bond the actual reasonable costs incurred by the city in providing <br />minimum care to the animal from the date of seizure to the date of final disposition of the animal in the <br />criminal action. <br />ii. At the end of the time for which expenses are covered by the bond, if the owner <br />seeks to prevent disposition of the animal by the custodial agency, the owner shall post a new <br />bond with animal control within 72 hours following the prior bond's expiration. If an owner fails <br />to post or renew a bond as required under this subsection (5), the animal is deemed abandoned <br />and the owner's interest in the animal is forfeited to the city by operation of law. <br /> e. For the purposes of this subsection (5), "animal" includes all unborn offspring of the seized <br />animal and all offspring of the seized animal born after the animal was seized. <br /> 6. When an animal is seized from a person prohibited from owning, caring for, possessing, or <br />residing with animals under RCW 16.52.200 or an order issued pursuant to Chapter 6.04 EMC, Chapter <br />6.08 EMC, RCW 16.52.200, 16.52.205 or 16.52.207, or similar statute, the animal is immediately and <br />permanently forfeited by operation of law to the city and no court action is necessary. <br /> 7. If an animal is forfeited to the city according to the provisions of this section, the city may place <br />the animal with a new owner; provided that the city may not place the animal with anyone who lives in <br />the same household as the former owner. <br /> 8. The city may authorize a veterinarian or veterinary technician licensed in the state of <br />Washington or a certified euthanasia technician certified in the state of Washington to euthanize a <br />seized animal for humane reasons at any time if the animal is severely injured, sick, diseased, or <br />suffering. <br /> 9. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the voluntary, permanent relinquishment <br />of any animal by its owner to the city or other agency. Voluntary relinquishment has no effect on the <br />criminal charges that may be pursued by the appropriate authorities. <br /> 10. Nothing in this chapter requires court action for taking custody of, caring for, and properly <br />disposing of stray, feral, at-large, or abandoned animals, or wild animals not owned or kept as pets or <br />livestock, as lawfully performed by the city. <br /> 11. 7. Any authorized person caring for, treating, or attempting to restore an animal to health <br />under this section shall not be civilly or criminally liable for such action. <br /> 12. The provisions of this section are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the provisions of EMC <br />6.04.070, 6.04.140, 6.08.050, or RCW 16.52.200.