<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 4-305. - Sanctions, penalties, fines, remedies.</div>
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               Any person who fails, refuses, or otherwise violates this article shall be subject
               to the following sanctions or penalties:
               
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                  (1)
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                  <span class="ital">Escape of an exotic animal.</span>
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                  a.
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                  If an exotic animal escapes from its cage, pen or enclosure it may be tranquilized
                  with or without prior notice to the owner.
                  </p>
               		
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                  b.
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                  If an exotic animal escapes and poses a danger to the health and safety of any person
                  or property, the animal may be destroyed, with or without prior notice to the owner.
                  If the officer does destroy such an animal, he shall make a good faith attempt to
                  notify the owner of the incident.
                  </p>
               		
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                  c.
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                  If the exotic animal has caused injury to a person or another animal while at large,
                  the officer in addition to seizing the animal, may issue to the owner a notice of
                  intent to destroy the animal.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (2)
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                  <span class="ital">Seizure of unpermitted exotic animals.</span> Any exotic animal that the owner does not have a required federal, state or county
                  permit may be subject to seizure in accordance with state law. The costs of confinement
                  shall be charged to the owner.
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                  (3)
                  </p>
               		
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                  <span class="ital">Cost of recapturing.</span> The owner of any exotic animal shall reimburse the county for any overtime hours
                  or special costs or expenses incurred by county employees while in the course of or
                  as a result of attempts to recapture an escaped animal.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (4)
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                  Nothing herein shall have the effect of permitting any activity or condition with
                  respect to an animal that is prohibited or more severely restricted by regulations
                  of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (5)
                  </p>
               		
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                  Pursuant to G.S. 19A-1, 19A-2, 19A-3, and/or 19A-4, an officer may obtain an order
                  to take possession of the animal.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (6)
                  </p>
               		
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                  If an immediate threat to the health or safety of the animal or the public is evident,
                  an officer may summarily seize the animal in accordance with state law.
                  </p>
               		
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                  a.
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                  A notice of seizure describing the exigent circumstances warranting the seizure shall
                  be left with the owner or affixed to the premises or other property from whence the
                  animal was seized.
                  </p>
               		
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                  b.
                  </p>
               		
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                  If the owner fails to redeem the animal within 72 hours, the county may take custody
                  of the animal. The costs of caring for the animal pending final determination of court
                  proceedings shall be charged against the owner.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (7)
                  </p>
               		
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                  If it is determined by the officer that the animal or public is not in immediate danger,
                  or the problem which gives rise to the violation can be corrected within 72 hours,
                  the officer may issue a written notice of violation directing the owner or possessor
                  of the animal to correct the problem within 72 hours. If the condition or problem
                  is not corrected within 72 hours, the animal control officer may take action as outlined
                  in subsections (1) through (6) above.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (8)
                  </p>
               		
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                  Notwithstanding the other provisions and sanctions of this article, the officer may
                  issue a civil penalty for violation of any provision of this section in accordance
                  with <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH4AN_ARTIINGE_S4-9SAPE" class="section-link" data-product-id="12650">section 4-9</a>.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (9)
                  </p>
               		
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                  <span class="ital">Second violations.</span> Second violations of this article may be punishable as criminal offenses.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (10)
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                  Nothing in this article shall be construed to preclude any criminal remedy available
                  under the laws of the State of North Carolina or the United States, or the pursuit
                  by any person, of civil or criminal remedies available under said laws.
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 6-11-12, Â§ 1; Res. of 6-12-23(1), Â§ 1.O))
               </p></div>