/.If the animal warden has reason to believe that

/.If the animal warden has reason to believe that any dog is killing other dogs or domestic animals, he or she shall apply to a magistrate for a warrant requiring the owner or custodian of the doq to appear before the General District Court. (a) The animal warden shall confine the dog until such time as a verdict is rendered on the warrant; provided, the animal warden may allow the dog to remain with its owner upon being satisfied the dog shall be properly confined so to protect other animals and the public. (b) If the Court finds the dog has habitually killed other dogs or domestic animals, the Court may order the dog destroyed in one of the manners prescribed by law. (?) Any owner or custodian of a dog found to have killed other dogs or domestic animals, whether the dog be ordered destroyed or not, shall be responsible for any standard fees, including veterinary fees, and costs incurred in the confinement of the dog (d) The proceedings under this paragraph 7 shall be civil in nature and not prevent a criminal prosecution of the person responsible for the dog. (e) Nothing herein shall prevent a consent order being issued providing for the disposition or destruction of the dog upon endorsement by the County Attorney and the owner. 8. Nothing in this Ordinance shall prevent the killing of any dog found in the act of killing or injuring livestock or poultry, or chasing livestock on and utilized by the livestock under circumstances harmful to the livestock nor prevent the seizure of such dog by the animal warden as provided by §3.1-796.116 of the Code of Virginia. All Interested persons are Invited to attend and to make comment written comments may be submitted to the County Administrator P.O. Box 519, Washington, VA 22747, prior to the date of the hearing. BY ORDER OF: John W. McCarthy County Administrator