<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 10-4. - Cruelty to animals.</div>
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               It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, torture, torment, deprive of necessary
               sustenance, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, wound, injure, poison, abandon
               or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare any animal,
               or to cause or procure such action. The words "torture" and "torment" shall be held
               to include every act, omission or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering
               or death is caused or permitted; but such terms shall not be construed to prohibit
               lawful shooting of birds, deer and other game for human food; nor to prohibit an animal's
               owner, a veterinarian, the health director or animal control program agents from destroying
               dangerous, unwanted or injured animals in a humane manner, nor to prohibit the lawful
               use of animals in scientific research.
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
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                  Domestic pets shall be provided with adequate shelter and adequate shade as defined
                  by <a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH10AN_ARTIIN_S10-1DE" class="section-link" data-product-id="13953">section 10-1</a>.
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                  (2)
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                  Domestic animals shall be provided suitable food and have access to clean drinking
                  water at all times.
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               Animal cruelty investigator(s) may be appointed by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners
               as provided under G.S. 19A-45. An animal cruelty investigator(s) have the responsibility
               for carrying out the defined duties of an animal cruelty investigator as mandated
               by G.S. 19A and 46-47. An animal control officer may be requested to accompany the
               investigator on animal seizures.
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            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 8-21-2018; Ord. of 8-4-2023)
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