§ 10-804. Holding period; Hearing.

(a) In general.

The impounded animal must be kept for at least 72 hours, unless sooner reclaimed by its owner or custodian or otherwise required by law.

(b) Dangerous or vicious animal.

If the Office reasonably believes that the animal is a dangerous or vicious animal, the Office must hold the animal pending a hearing under Subtitle 10 of this title.

(c) Investigations.

(1) If the Office reasonably believes that the return of an animal prior to the disposition of a case would be detrimental to the animal's health and welfare, the Office may hold an impounded animal for more than 72 hours while conducting an investigation of:

(i) possible violations of Federal, State, or local laws or regulations governing the proper care and treatment of animals; or

(ii) a complaint under §10-108 {"Inspections, investigation of complaints, and impoundment"} of this title.

(2) If the needs of an animal held under this section cannot be provided for at the Office, or the Office determines that it would benefit the animal's health or welfare to do so, the animal may be temporarily:

(i) held at a humane organization;

(ii) placed with a foster custodian; or

(iii) housed at another appropriate location.

(3) Whenever an animal is being temporarily held at a location other than the Office, as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Office may keep the location confidential if the Office reasonably believes that disclosure of the location could result in harm to either the animal or the temporary custodian.

(d) Request for hearing.

If the owner or custodian is aggrieved by the animal's impoundment, he or she may request a hearing under Subtitle 10 of this title.