§ 12-4-304. Authority to charge; citation.  


Latest version.
  • (a) Probable cause. An animal control officer, the authorized representative of an animal control officer, or a law enforcement officer may charge a person with a violation of this title if the individual issuing the charge has probable cause, based on personal knowledge, observation, or a written affidavit of complaint, that the person charged has committed or is committing the violation.
    (b) Issuance of citation. The person who charges a person under this article shall issue a written citation to the person charged. The citation shall be a sufficient charging document for the prosecution of the offense for which it is issued.
    (c) Contents. An animal control citation issued to a person under this section shall be on a form prescribed by the Agency and shall include:
    (1) the name and address of the alleged violator;
    (2) the violation alleged;
    (3) a statement with a line for signature by the alleged violator acknowledging receipt of the citation;
    (4) a statement setting forth the requirement of election of a choice of action which the alleged violator shall make as specified in § 12-4-305;
    (5) a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the person issuing the citation has probable cause to believe the fact of the violation is correct; and
    (6) other necessary information.
    (1985 Code, Art. 12, § 3-104)