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To amend City Code § 4-308, concerning penalties for breeding violations, for the purpose of changing the penalty for violation of the breeding permit requirements of City Code § 4-307 from a civil penalty to a Class 4 misdemeanor.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That section 4-308 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and hereby is amended as follows:
Sec. 4-308. Penalties for breeding violations.
(a) Any cat or dog owner found by the Department to be in violation of the breeding permit requirements of Section 4-307 may correct the violation by providing conclusive proof to the Department that the dog or cat has been sterilized; by authorizing the Department to have the animal sterilized, at the owner's expense, prior to the animal's release; or by obtaining a breeding permit as required by Section 4-307 prior to the animal's release. If the owner fails to correct the violation as provided in this subsection, the [Department shall impose a civil penalty of $150.00 on such dog or cat owner. Notice of this penalty shall be served by the Department on the dog or cat owner in person or via certified letter. This penalty shall not be waived by the Department upon the transfer or abandonment of the animal by the noncompliant] owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
(b) The Department may revoke any permit issued pursuant to this section upon a finding that the permit holder has violated the terms and conditions of this section. Such a finding shall be made only after giving the owner of the animal in question notice of the violations and an opportunity to explain such violations to the Department.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.