§ 10-1010. Expenses of holding animal.

(a) In general.

If an animal is held under § 10-1009 {"Office to hold animal"} of this subtitle while a requested hearing or appeal is pending, all costs for care or other expenses of the animal incurred by the Office from the time of impoundment through the Commissioner's final decision are a personal debt due to the City or its agent by the owner or custodian of the animal.

(b) Office to calculate.

The Office or its agent must, within a reasonable time of the final decision, calculate the cost, which may include:

(1) food, veterinary care, and other necessities that a responsible owner or custodian would provide for the animal; and

(2) other costs, such as staffing and administrative expenses, as allowed by rule or regulation adopted by the Commissioner under § 2-106 {"Rules and Regulations"} of this article.

(c) Time, method of payment.

(1) The owner or custodian must pay the costs calculated by the Office within 72 hours of receiving notice from the Office or its agent of the amount.

(2) The payment must be made in cash or other method acceptable to the Director of Finance.

(d) Administrative reversal.

If the final decision of the Commissioner overturns the impoundment, the City may not charge the owner or custodian for any costs incurred under this section.