<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 10-9. - Seizure and disposition.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               
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               <span class="ital">Authority to seize animals.</span> In addition to any other authority or procedure authorized by this chapter or by
               any other law to seize an animal, the department shall have the authority to summarily
               seize any animals from premises when the department determines that the animal is
               in circumstances that pose a danger to the public safety or public health, or to seize
               an animal at any other time, when so authorized in this chapter or pursuant to G.S.
               14-360, 19A-1, 2, 3, 4, and 19A-45,<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH46OFMIPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> 46</a>, 47, and 48. The written order shall explicitly state that the department has the
               authority to terminate ownership rights of the animal, including the possible humane
               destruction of the animal, if there is a failure to comply with the written order,
               or unless otherwise directed by court order.
               
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               (b)
               
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               <span class="ital">Obligation of owner to comply with seizure order.</span> When the director/supervisor serves the owner with an order to seize an animal, it
               shall be unlawful for the owner to fail to comply with the order or to interfere with
               the animal control officer.
               
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               (c)
               
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               <span class="ital">Challenge to the seizure order.</span> If the owner wishes to challenge the seizure order, then the owner must submit in
               writing the basis of the challenge within five days of the seizure of the animal,
               not counting the day of seizure of the animal. The challenge must be filed with the
               office of the animal control department. The sheriff is authorized to hear and decide
               the challenge to the seizure order in the same manner as provided for in<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH10AN_ARTIINGE_S10-8DAAN" class="section-link" data-product-id="12658"> section 10-8</a>, unless the seizure is accomplished through the authority of state law, in which
               case the hearing will be held in the district courts of the county as by law provided.
               The department has the obligation to make reasonable efforts to notify the owner.
               
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               (d)
               
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               <span class="ital">Owner's redemption of animal.</span> The owner is entitled to redeem the animal, unless the director/supervisor retains
               the animal upon some other basis of legal authority, by paying all applicable fees,
               citation fees, boarding fees, and other costs that are attributable to the seizure
               of the animal, and complying with any outstanding department order.
               
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               (e)
               
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               <span class="ital">Owner's posting of a bond.</span> If the director/supervisor has seized an animal, as authorized by this chapter, or
               for any other legally authorized seizure and confinement of an animal, and the director/supervisor
               determines that the department's retention of any animal so seized by the department,
               might extend beyond five days, then the director/supervisor shall be authorized to
               require the owner to post a bond or to deposit cash within a reasonable time to cover
               the boarding costs for the animal and any foreseen, reasonable veterinarian fees required
               by law or deemed necessary for the animal during the period of confinement.
               
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               (f)
               
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               <span class="ital">Termination of owner's rights.</span> If an owner fails to comply with the requirement that constituted the basis for seizing
               the animal, or fails to reclaim the animal within the applicable time period, then
               the director/supervisor shall have the authority to humanely destroy the animal or
               place the animal for sale to the public, all in accordance with this section, or to
               place the animal with a local humane society for future placement through the humane
               society.
               
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               (g)
               
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               <span class="ital">[Violation.]</span> A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
               
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            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 8-17-92, art. I, Â§ 14; Ord. of 3-19-96, art. I, Â§ 14;
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="12658" data-ordinance-id="1170755">
                  Ord. No. 2021-32
                  </a>
               , Â§ 3, 12-20-21)
               
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