Orange County NC Website
63 <br />Animal Control Ordinance <br />(4) The Animal Services Director has the authority at any time to require that a <br />vicious animal not be kept in the owner or keeper's home. The animal must stay <br />confined through any legal appeals. The owner or keeper shall be responsible for <br />the costs incurred in the animal's confinement. If the animal is found not to be a <br />vicious animal, the County shall be responsible for the cost of animals kept at the <br />Animal Services facility for that purpose. <br />(h) Effect of Citation. <br />(1) Upon payment of a citation or the conviction of the owner or keeper for <br />having an animal which without provocation has committed any of the acts <br />described in subsection (b) above, said animal is declared a vicious animal. <br />(2) Upon the payment of a citation or the conviction of the owner or keeper for <br />having an animal which on or off the property of the owner or keeper and <br />without provocation has killed or caused life threatening injuries through <br />bite(s) to a person, the animal will be seized by the animal control officer and <br />destroyed in a humane manner. <br />(3) Any animal previously declared vicious upon the payment of a citation or by <br />conviction of the owner or keeper for a violation of this subsection, that <br />commits a subsequent violation of the subsection, will cause the owner or <br />keeper to be charged with that violation. Upon the owner or keeper's <br />conviction of that violation, the animal will be destroyed in a humane manner. <br />(4) Any violation of this section may be a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of <br />five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) <br />days. <br />(5) All persons owning security dogs as defined by this Ordinance shall register <br />such animals with the Animal Services Director; the owner or keeper of any <br />such dog shall place signs or placards on his premises noting "Beware of <br />Dog" or other information noting the presence of security dog(s). <br />(j) Appeal. Any declaration that an animal is "vicious" may be appealed to the Orange <br />County Animal Services Advisory Board as provided in this Chapter. <br />Any animal either found at large, found not to be wearing a currently valid rabies tag, is public <br />nuisance, has been declared vicious and is out -of- doors, not in a secure pen or on a restraint, is <br />a danger to the public or for any other reason designated in this Chapter may be impounded and <br />confined in the Animal Shelter in a humane manner for a period hereinafter prescribed: <br />(a) Owner notification. Immediately upon impounding any animal, the Animal Services <br />Director or designee shall attempt to notify the owner or keeper by either telephone or <br />in person to inform that person of such impoundment, and the conditions whereby the <br />DRAFT 2 #, OA . #/ 09 - 5/ 30/ 2013 00 R. 1111 <br />