<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 14-4. - General duties of animal control unit.</div>
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               The animal control unit is charged with the responsibility of:
               
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                  (1)
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                  Enforcing all general statutes, county ordinances, and public health laws relating
                  to the care, custody and control of domestic animals, especially with regard to vaccination
                  of dogs and cats against rabies and the secure confinement or leashing and muzzling
                  of dangerous animals within the jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, reference
                  is made to G.S. chapter 67 and 130A-184 et seq.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (2)
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                  Making canvasses of the county, including homes and businesses, as necessary, for
                  the purpose of ensuring compliance with this chapter or the general statutes.
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                  (3)
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                  Investigating all reported animal bites or other human physical contact with a suspected
                  rabid animal, enforcing quarantine ordered of any dog or cat involved, and submitting
                  bite reports and reports of human contacts to the health director.
                  </p>
               		
               
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                  (4)
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                  Investigating complaints of county residents with regard to domestic animals exclusive
                  of barking dogs.
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                  (5)
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                  Protecting animals from neglect and abuse. Investigating cruelty or animal abuse with
                  regard to dogs, cats and other animals and enforcement of state law and county ordinances
                  regarding cruelty.
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                  (6)
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                  Investigating all reports or observations of incidents of harassment or of injuries
                  to domesticated livestock caused by animals.
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                  (7)
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                  Seizing and arranging for impoundment, where deemed necessary, of any dog or cat involved
                  in a violation of this chapter or the general statutes.
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                  (8)
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                  Operating the county animal shelter pursuant to policies adopted by the board of health.
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                  (9)
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                  Keeping, or causing to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:
                  </p>
               		
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                  a.
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                  Seizure, impoundment, and disposition of all animals coming into custody of the animal
                  control unit.
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                  b.
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                  Bite cases, violations and complaints, and investigation of same, including names
                  and addresses of persons bitten, date, circumstances, and breed.
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                  c.
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                  All monies collected as fees and penalties.
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                  d.
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                  Any other matters deemed necessary by the animal control supervisor.
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                  (10)
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                  The animal control supervisor, officers, sheriff, and sheriff's deputies of the jurisdiction
                  are hereby empowered to issue citations to any person if there is probable cause to
                  believe that such person has violated provisions of this chapter.
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                  (11)
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                  Animal control officers are duly authorized by the health director to store at the
                  animal shelter or carry in departmental vehicles firearms approved for use and use
                  such firearms when necessary to enforce sections of this chapter or other applicable
                  laws for control of wild, exotic, dangerous, or diseased animals.
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 1-7-02; Res. of 12-2-19(1), Â§ 2)
               </p></div>