§ 10-223. Surrender or removal of animal on denial, etc.

(a) In general.

A person whose license or permit for an animal is denied, suspended, or revoked must, within 5 days of the denial, suspension, or revocation:

(1) surrender the animal to the Office; or

(2) elect to transfer the animal to a new owner and provide the Office with the two notarized affidavits required by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Affidavits required for transfer of animal to new owner.

If the current owner elects to permanently transfer the animal to a new owner, then:

(1) within 5 days of the denial, suspension, or revocation of the owner's license or permit for the animal, the current owner must provide an affidavit to the Office, on the form designated by Office, that includes the following:

(i) the name, breed, age, weight, and physical description of the animal;

(ii) the new owner's name, address, phone number, and email address;

(iii) the address where the animal will reside;

(iv) an acknowledgment that, after transferring the animal to the new owner, the current owner will make no attempt to regain ownership or possession of the animal for the remainder of the animal's life;

(v) any other information that the Office requires; and

(vi) the current owner's notarized signature; and

(2) within the same 5-day period, the new owner must provide an affidavit to the Office, on the form designated by Office, that includes the following:

(i) the name, breed, age, weight, and physical description of the animal;

(ii) the new owner's name, address, phone number, and email address;

(iii) the address where the animal will reside;

(iv) an acknowledgment that, after the transfer of the animal to the new owner, the new owner accepts permanent ownership and possession of the animal;

(v) an acknowledgment that, after the transfer of the animal to the new owner, the new owner will not transfer the animal back to the current owner for the remainder of the animal's life;

(vi) an acknowledgment that the new owner consents to an inspection of the address where the animal will reside prior to the transfer of the animal;

(vii) any other information that the Office requires; and

(viii) the new owner's notarized signature.

(c) Office to verify affidavits and suitability of new owner.

(1) Before transferring the animal to the proposed new owner, the Office must:

(i) verify the information provided in the affidavits provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section;

(ii) verify that the proposed new owner meets the Office's standards for animal adoption; and

(iii) verify the suitability of the new environment for the animal.

(2) If the Office, in its sole discretion, determines that any information contained in the notarized affidavits is false, or that another of the requirements of subsection (c)(1) of this section cannot be met, the Office may immediately confiscate the animal.

(d) Reclaiming animal to be transferred.

After the Office's verification and approval of the notarized affidavits, the new owner must reclaim the animal in accordance with § 10-805 {" Reclaiming animal"} of this title within 72 hours of notice of the approval from the Office.

(e) Confiscation for failure to comply.

Failure to comply with any of the requirements of this section may result in the immediate confiscation by the Office of the animal for which a license has been denied, suspended, or revoked.