Sec. 5-32. - Review by appeal hearing officer—Action.

(a)

Upon the filing of a valid appeal and preparation of the administrative record, the director shall transmit a copy of the administrative record to an appeal hearing officer appointed by the county. The appeal hearing officer shall review the administrative record and within ten (10) working days after its receipt take one of the following actions:

(1)

Adopt, modify or reject the decision of the director without a hearing;

(2)

Refer the matter back to the director for further proceedings pursuant to this article;

(3)

Grant a hearing to review the decision of the director. Where the decision of the director being appealed orders the humane destruction of an animal, the appeal hearing officer shall automatically grant a hearing.

(b)

If the appeal hearing officer takes action pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), such action shall become the decision of the appeal hearing officer and shall be mailed pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 5-33.

(c)

If the appeal hearing officer takes action pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (a), the director shall set the time and place for the hearing and cause notice of such hearing to be given pursuant to Section 5-21.