Dangerous dogs; determination of dangerous dog.

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 8-3-10

in effect

Sec. 8-3-10. - Dangerous dogs; determination of dangerous dog. A. If an animal services officer initially determines that a dog should be classified as dangerous as defined in this chapter or under T.C.A. § 44-17-120(a), notification will be sent to the owner or other responsible party. A mandatory ordinance summons shall be issued to the owner/custodian by the animal services officer citing the Code section violated and setting a date to appear in a court of competent jurisdiction for a determination. Any decision of the court shall be final, subject to appeal to a higher court of competent jurisdiction. 1. In the alternative a petition may be filed by Memphis Animal Services with the general sessions court, pursuant to T.C.A. § 44-17-120 (b), for a disposition order for the dangerous dogs or dogs causing death or serious bodily injury to humans or other animals. 2. If the owner does not appear before the court within five days of the receipt of notice and show cause why the dog should not be destroyed, then the order shall issue and the dog shall be destroyed. B. Upon receipt of summons, the owner/custodian shall place their pet into a secure boarding facility until a final decision is issued by a judge. The owner/custodian has following options for secure boarding: 1. Upon payment of security bond to Memphis Animal Services according to the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter, the owner/custodian may board the dog at a licensed veterinary clinic at the owner/custodian's sole expense. The veterinary clinic must confirm in writing to the animal shelter director that the animal will be boarded in a private, licensed veterinary clinic. The purpose of the security bond it to ensure compliance pending all court appearances. 2. Alternately, without a security bond and at the owner/custodian's request and sole expense, the dog may be kept at Memphis Animal Services. The owner shall pay the daily boarding rate for each day or fraction thereof the dog remains at the shelter in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. The owner must pay for 30 days of care in advance. After the initial payment and until the court authorizes the release of the animal, the owner/custodian must pay the charge in advance, keeping the account ahead 30 days. 3. Alternately, the owner/custodian may elect to surrender the dog to Animal Services with a signed document requesting the dog be euthanized. 4. All payments to Memphis Animal Services must be made within ten days of issuance of the summons or within 24-hours of the defendant's initial court appearance whichever comes later. If the bond or boarding fees are not paid as required in this section, the animal shall be deemed forfeited. 5. After the satisfaction of fees, fines, and/or court-ordered payments, overpayments shall be returned to the owner/custodian within a reasonable time after of the final disposition of the case. C. Failure of an owner to respond to the ordinance summons shall result in the animal being declared a dangerous dog by operation of law. The owner/custodian is deemed to have waived all rights to a hearing on the dog's classification. The animal shall be surrendered to Memphis Animal Services immediately or it shall be impounded. A show cause notice shall be issued requiring the owner/custodian to appear before the court within five days to show cause why the dog should not be euthanized. The show cause hearing is solely for determination of the issue of euthanasia. Failure to appear or show cause will result in entry of a final surrender and disposition order permitting the dog to be euthanized. (Ord. No. 5843, § 1, 7-11-2023)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8AN_CH8-3DOCA_S8-3-10DADODEDADOFetched: 10/28/2026