<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 14-16. - Impoundment.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">In general.</span> Any dog or cat found being mistreated or kept under unsanitary or inhumane conditions,
               as provided in <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-12MIANPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">section 14-12</a>; any dog or cat found to be cruelly treated, as provided in <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-13CRTRPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">section 14-13</a>; any dog or cat found to be a public nuisance, as provided in <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-6PUNUPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">section 14-6</a>; any dog not under control in violation of <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-6PUNUPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">section 14-6</a> [14-7]; or any dog or cat which appears to be lost, stray or unwanted, or any dog
               or cat is found to be not wearing a currently valid license or rabies vaccination
               tag as required, shall be seized, impounded, and confined by the animal control officer
               and confined in the animal shelter in a humane manner. Impoundment of such dog or
               cat shall not relieve the owner thereof of any penalty which may be imposed for violation
               of any provision of this chapter.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Notice to owner.</span> Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the animal control officer shall make reasonable
               effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby the animal
               may be redeemed.
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            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Redemption by owner.</span> The owner of a dog or cat impounded under this chapter may redeem the animal and
               regain possession thereof in accordance with the rules and fees set by the board of
               county commissioners in the policies for operation of the county animal shelter and
               by complying with all applicable provisions of this chapter and by paying all fees
               and penalties due. Fee rates shall be available for public inspection in the office
               of the clerk to the board of county commissioners and at the county animal shelter.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Adoption or euthanasia of unredeemed dog or cat.</span>
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               If any impounded dog or cat is not redeemed by the owner within the period prescribed
               in the policies for operation of the county animal shelter, filed as stated in subsection
               (c) above, then such animal may be offered for adoption or destroyed in a humane manner
               in accordance with such policies.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               No animal owner may be permitted to claim her/his animal under the provisions of this
               section unless and until s/he shall comply with the provisions of the policies for
               operation of the county animal shelter for same.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               All unsterilized dogs and cats adopted from the animal shelter shall be either spayed
               or neutered in accordance with the policies for operation of the county animal shelter.
               Written veterinary proof of sterilization shall be promptly provided by the adopter
               to the animal control unit. If the person adopting the unsterilized animal fails to
               cause the animal to be sterilized within the time prescribed by the animal shelter,
               such failure shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall subject such person
               to a civil penalty.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (e)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Suspected rabid dogs or cats not to be redeemed or adopted.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, dogs or cats impounded which
               appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or adopted but shall be dealt
               with in accordance with G.S. chapter 130A.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (f)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Immediate placement for adoption or euthanization of animals surrendered by owner.</span> An dog or cat, or unweaned animal surrendered by its owner to the animal control
               unit may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely destroyed at the discretion
               of the animal control supervisor without compliance with requirements of this section
               when the owner transfers ownership of such animal to the animal control unit.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 1-7-02)
               </p></div>