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Animal Control Ordinance <br /> (4) Has been deemed potentially dangerous or dangerous in accordance with N.C. <br /> Gen. Stat. Chapter 67, Article 1A. Dangerous Dog. <br /> (c) Declaration of Vicious Animal. <br /> (1) Upon observation by an Animal Control or law enforcement officer or receipt of a <br /> written complaint that an animal is behaving or has behaved viciously and is at <br /> large or is off the premises of its owner or keeper and is not restrained by a <br /> competent person, an Animal Control Officer may impound the animal and <br /> investigate the complaint and, upon a finding that there is probable cause to <br /> believe a violation of this Ordinance or other applicable law or regulation has <br /> occurred, shall take any action allowed by this Ordinance or State law as the <br /> circumstances may require. <br /> (2) Any animal who, after investigation by an Animal Control officer, is found by the <br /> Animal Services Director to have committed any act described in (b) above may, <br /> in the Animal Services Director's sole discretion, be declared vicious and is <br /> subject to this Section of the Ordinance. <br /> (d) Effect of Declaration. <br /> (1) Permitted Locations. A vicious animal shall be permitted at the following <br /> locations only: <br /> (a) On the premises of the owner or keeper either confined indoors or in a secure <br /> enclosure when outdoors; <br /> i. Secure Enclosure. The owner or keeper of a declared vicious animal is <br /> required to keep the animal securely confined indoors or in a securely <br /> enclosed and locked pen or structure. The pen or structure must be <br /> suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent <br /> the animal from escaping; it must provide the animal with protection <br /> from the elements; and must be inspected by an Animal Control <br /> Officer and approved by the Animal Services Director prior to use by <br /> the animal declared vicious. <br /> ii. Annual Inspection. An Animal Control Officer shall inspect the <br /> secured enclosure of all animals deemed vicious at least once a year to <br /> assure that the standards are maintained. There will be an inspection <br /> fee as provided by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br /> (b) On private property, with the authorization of the owner of the property; <br /> (c) At a licensed veterinarian for treatment; <br /> Adopted 1/21/2016 Unified Animal Control Ordinance Page 17 <br /> Effective 3/1/2016 <br />