<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 4-2. - Agency authority and responsibility.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               
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               Authority is hereby transferred from the county manager to the Martin County sheriff's
               office to establish and maintain an animal control program, to employ animal control
               officers and such other employees as shall be determined necessary by the board of
               commissioners, and to appoint and compensate animal control officers and such other
               employees in accordance with policies of Martin County sheriff's office.
               
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               (b)
               
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               The employees of the animal control program shall:
               
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               (1)
               
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               Have the responsibility as a law enforcement agency to enforce all laws of the state
               and all ordinances of the county pertaining to animals and shall cooperate with all
               law enforcement officers within the county in fulfilling this duty.
               
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               (2)
               
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               Enforce and carry out all laws of the state and all ordinances of the county pertaining
               to rabies control.
               
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               (3)
               
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               Be responsible for the investigation of all reported animal bites, for the quarantine
               of any dog or cat involved and suspected of having rabies, for a period of not less
               than ten days, and for reporting to the Martin-Tyrrell-Washington district health
               director as soon as practicable the occurrence of any such animal bite and the condition
               of any quarantined animal.
               
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               (4)
               
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               Be responsible for the operation of the animal shelter.
               
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               (5)
               
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               Be responsible for the seizure and impoundment, where deemed necessary, of any dog
               or other animal in the county involved in a violation of this or any other county
               ordinance or state law.
               
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               (6)
               
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               Investigate cruelty or abuse with regard to animals.
               
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               (7)
               
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               Make such canvasses of the county, including the homes in the county, as necessary
               for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with this chapter or state statute.
               
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               (8)
               
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               Keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:
               
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               a.
               
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               Seizure, impoundment, and disposition of all animals coming into the custody of the
               animal control program.
               
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               b.
               
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               Bite cases, violations and complaints, and investigation of same.
               
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               c.
               
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               All monies belonging to the county which were derived from fees, penalties, sales
               of animals, or other sources.
               
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               d.
               
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               Any other matters deemed necessary by the county sheriff and/or health director.
               
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               (9)
               
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               Be empowered to issue notices of violation of this chapter in such form as the county
               sheriff and/or health director may prescribe.
               
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            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. No. 1988-1, Â§ II, 1-13-1988; Ord. No. 1989-3, Â§ II, 10-2-1989;
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="15271" data-ordinance-id="728542">
                  Ord. of 4-8-2015(1)
                  </a>
               )
               
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