§ VII. Seizure and impoundment of animals.

A.

Power of Seizure and Impoundment. Animal Control Officers are hereby authorized to seize and impound the following:

1.

Any female dog or cat unconfined in violation of Section V. A. of this ordinance;

2.

Any dangerous dog outside of a required secure enclosure in violation of Section V. C. of this ordinance;

3.

Any animal, without identifiable owner, creating a public nuisance in violation of Section V. D. of this ordinance;

4.

Any animal which has been found to be a victim of cruel treatment under the provisions of Section V. E. of this ordinance;

5.

Any wild or exotic animals determined to be in violation of the provisions of Section V. F. of this ordinance;

6.

Any dog not wearing the rabies vaccination tag required by Section VI. A. of this ordinance, or any dog or cat whose owner refuses to confine the animal after it has bitten a human being pursuant to Section VI. B. (2) of this ordinance, or any dog or cat which otherwise appears in violation of the rabies control provisions of this ordinance;

7.

Any animal which appears to be lost, stray or unwanted; or

8.

Any dog that approaches a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to a dog being used by a law enforcement officer to carry out the law enforcement officer's duties.

Animal Control Officers shall not be required, in the process of seizing or impounding animals, to place themselves in a situation which may jeopardize their own health and safety, nor shall Animal Control Officers be required to pick up dead animals.

B.

Notification to Owners. Impoundment shall be according to the following procedure unless otherwise required by this ordinance:

Upon impoundment the Animal Control Officer shall make a reasonably diligent attempt to determine the ownership of the impounded animal, if not already known, and to notify the owners of the impoundment and the procedure for redemption. Notification shall be by personal contact or telephone where possible, otherwise by U. S. mail.

C.

Impoundment Time Periods/Redemption.

1.

The owner or keeper of an animal impounded pursuant to this ordinance may redeem the animal and regain possession thereof within seventy-two (72) hours after impoundment, or longer where deemed appropriate by the Chief Animal Control officer, provided that there is reasonable assurance that all applicable provisions of this ordinance will be complied with and provided that all applicable fees have been paid. Redemption service fees shall be charged each time an animal is redeemed, in addition to a daily boarding fee. The redemption and boarding fee schedule is:

Redemption:	1st	$15.00
	2nd	$50.00
	3rd	$75.00
	4th	$100.00
	5th (and subsequent)	$150.00
Board:		$5.00 per day

 

The 72 hour holding period shall not apply to animals surrendered by an owner or keeper to the Health Department or Animal Shelter for immediate adoption or destruction.

2.

If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner or keeper within the prescribed period, it shall become the property of the Animal Shelter and offered for adoption to a responsible adult who is willing to comply with this ordinance, or it may be destroyed in a humane manner. Animals will be euthanized by carbon monoxide gassing or injection with a humane euthanasia solution, as approved by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources.

3.

In appropriate cases where an animal is badly wounded or diseased, the Chief Animal Control Officer may reduce the 72 hour holding period and destroy the animal immediately or at such time as he deems appropriate.

D.

Disposal. After euthanasia, the animal may be sold to a duly licensed biological supply company or veterinary researcher, at the discretion of the Chief Animal Control Officer, but only upon the prior receipt of the following information from those requesting to purchase animals:

1.

Copy of U.S.D.A. license;

2.

List of all facilities to which purchaser sells or purchases from;

3.

Description or photographs of purchaser's animal transportation vehicles and description of the routes by which he will transport said animals;

4.

Any other information or documentation which might in the discretion of the Health Director be required; and

5.

Payment for each dog or cat purchased from the Animal Shelter, payable at or prior to the time of receipt of the animals.