<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 14-21. - Penalties.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="p0">
               The following penalties shall pertain to violations of this chapter:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  <span class="ital">Misdemeanor.</span> The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor and any person
                  convicted of such violation shall be punishable as provided in G.S. 14-4 or other
                  applicable law. Each day's violation of this chapter is a separate offense. Payment
                  of a fine imposed in criminal proceedings pursuant to this subsection does not relieve
                  a person of his liability for taxes or fees imposed under this chapter.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  <span class="ital">Enforcement.</span> Enforcement of this chapter may include any appropriate equitable remedy, injunction
                  or order of abatement issuing from a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to G.S.
                  153A-123(d) and (e).
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  <span class="ital">Issuance of a citation.</span> Issuance of a citation for violation of this chapter is directed toward and against
                  the owner and/or possessor of an animal. The purpose of the issuance of a citation
                  is to affect the conduct of the owner of an animal by seeking to have an owner responsibly
                  maintain sufficient restraint and confinement of his/her animal. An owner of an animal
                  shall be subject to escalating penalties for each violation of the section, whether
                  the animal is the same animal or any different animals belonging to the owner.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (4)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  <span class="ital">Civil penalties.</span> In addition to and independent of any criminal penalties and other sanctions provided
                  in this chapter, violation of this chapter may also subject the offender to the civil
                  penalties hereinafter set forth.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  a.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  The animal control supervisor, officers, sheriff, or sheriff's deputies may issue
                  to the known owner/keeper of any animal, or to any other violator of the provisions
                  of this chapter, a ticket or citation giving notice of the alleged violation(s). Tickets
                  or citations so issued may be delivered in person or mailed by certified or registered
                  mail to the person charged if that person cannot be readily found. The ticket or citation
                  shall impose upon the violator a minimum civil penalty of $25.00 or such greater amounts
                  for offenses as may be set by ordinance. The imposed civil penalty shall be paid in
                  full to the animal control unit within 14 days of receipt of the citation assessing
                  the civil penalty. This civil penalty is in addition to other fees or costs authorized
                  by this chapter.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  b.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  In the event that the owner or keeper of an animal or other alleged violator does
                  not appear in response to the above described ticket or citation, or the applicable
                  civil penalty is not paid within the time period prescribed, a civil action may be
                  commenced to recover the penalty and costs associated with collection of the penalty,
                  and/or criminal summons may be issued against the owner or keeper or other alleged
                  violator of this chapter, and upon conviction, the owner shall be punished as provided
                  by state law. The animal control supervisor is expressly authorized to initiate and
                  prosecute small claims actions in district court to collect civil penalties and fees
                  due the department and may call on the jurisdiction's attorney for assistance as needed.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  c.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  The following civil penalties are hereby established and subject to revision by the
                  board of county commissioners for each incident violation of this chapter:
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="bc2">
               Animal Control Civil Penalty Schedule
               
               <div>
                  <div class="" style="width:100%">
                     <table class=" left" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" rules="all">
                        <colgroup class="std">
                           <col width="11.11111111111111%">
                           <col width="77.77777777777777%">
                           <col width="11.11111111111111%">
                        </colgroup>
                        <tbody>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Section Violation
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Description
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Fee
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-5INCO" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-5</a>(A)
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Interference of animal control officer, agent, or trap
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 $250.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-5INCO" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-5</a>(B)
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Concealment of animal to evade ordinance
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 100.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-6PUNUPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-6</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Public nuisance:
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 â€‚First violation
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 25.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 â€‚Second violation
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 50.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 â€‚Subsequent violations
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 100.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-8DAPODADORE" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-8</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Keeping dangerous/potentially dangerous animal:
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 â€‚Unattended/Loose/Unrestrained
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 â€‚Failure to tatoo/microchip
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top "></td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Failure to notify of change of address or death
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-9CODOCAREPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-9</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Collection of dogs and cats for resale
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-10EXANPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-10</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Keeping exotic animal
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-11ANFIBAPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-11</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Animal fighting and baiting
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-12MIANPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-12</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Mistreatment of animals
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-12MIANPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-12</a>(3)(b)
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Unattended tethering
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 150.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-13CRTRPR" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-13</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Cruel treatment of animals
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIINGE_S14-19HASTDOCAPU" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-19</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Keeping stray animal
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 50.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIIRACO_S14-27COSTRALASUSTRALA" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-27</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Failure to obtain rabies vaccination
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 100.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIIRACO_S14-34UNKIREETCEAN" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-34</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Release of suspected rabid animal
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 500.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                           <tr>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH14AN_ARTIIRACO_S14-35FASUDOCAQUEU" class="section-link" data-product-id="12479">14-35</a>
                                 </td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 Rabies quarantine, failure to surrender
                                  .....</td>
                              <td class=" top ">
                                 250.00
                                 </td>
                           </tr>
                        </tbody>
                     </table>
                  </div>
                  <p>&nbsp;</p>
               </div>
               
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 1-7-02; Res. of 12-2-19(1), Â§ 9)
               </p></div>