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the subject of a dangerous dog investigation may be relocated or ownership transferred pending the outcome of an investigation or any hearings related to the determination of a dangerous dog classification . 2. Notwithstanding the definition of "vicious dog," as provided in this chapter, no dog may be declared vicious if any injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time that such injury or damage was sustained, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime. No dog may be declared vicious if any injury or damage was sustained by a domestic animal which at the time such injury or damage was sustained was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog. No dog may be declared vicious if the dog was protecting or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the dog from a unjustified attack or assault. 3. After the investigation by the animal control officer, the animal control director shall make an initial determination as to whether there is sufficient cause to classify the dog as dangerous and shall afford the owner an opportunity for a hearing prior to making a final determination. The animal control director shall provide written notification of the sufficient cause finding, to the owner, by registered mail, certified hand delivery, or service in conformance with the provisions of chapter 48, F. S . , relating to service of process. The owner may file a written request for a hearing within 7 calendar days from the date of receipt of the notification of the sufficient cause finding and, if requested, the hearing shall be held as soon as possible, but not more than 21 calendar days and no sooner than 5 business days after receipt of the request from the owner. The hearing shall be before the director of emergency services. The director shall record the hearing and shall swear in all witnesses. If the director finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the dog meets the definition of vicious dog the director shall immediately classify the dog as dangerous and issue a written determination with findings of fact. 4. Once a dog is classified as a dangerous dog, the animal control authority shall provide written notification to the owner by registered mail, certified hand delivery or service within 5 business days, and the owner may file a written request for a hearing in the county court to appeal the classification within 10 business days after receipt of a written determination of dangerous dog classification and must continue to confine the dog in a securely fenced or enclosed area pending a resolution of the appeal. 5. Within 14 days after a dog has been classified as dangerous by the animal control authority or a dangerous dog classification is upheld by the county court on appeal, the owner of the dog must