Orange County NC Website
Animal Control Ordinance <br /> designee, charged with the responsibility, discretion and authority to interpret, <br /> implement and enforce the Animal Control program in Orange County. <br /> (g) Animal Shelter: A place provided and operated by Orange County directly or by <br /> contractual agreement, whether jointly with another governmental unit or <br /> independently, for the restraint, care, adoption, and disposition of animals. <br /> (h) At Large: Any animal shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the property of its <br /> owner or its keeper and not under the restraint of a competent person. For purposes <br /> of this definition, the term "real property of its owner or keeper" shall include any <br /> property owned or occupied by the owner or keeper of such animal but shall not <br /> include any of the common areas (including without limitation, walks, drives, <br /> recreation and open space areas, etc.) within any subdivision or multifamily <br /> residential development. <br /> (i) Competent Person: A person of suitable age and discretion to keep an animal under <br /> sufficient restraint and control in order to prevent harm to the animal, to persons, to <br /> other animals, including but not limited to domesticated livestock, or to property. <br /> (j) Cruel and Cruel Treatment: Every act, omission, or neglect whereby unjustifiable <br /> physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted. Such acts or omissions shall <br /> include, but not be limited to: beating, kicking, hanging, submerging under water, <br /> suffocating, poisoning, setting on fire, confining in a closed vehicle without <br /> functioning air conditioning or ventilation whenever the ambient outdoor temperature <br /> exceeds seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit, confining in the closed trunk of a vehicle <br /> and depriving of food, water, and medical treatment, or otherwise subjecting the <br /> animal to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare. Such terms, <br /> however, shall not be construed to include lawful taking of animals under the <br /> jurisdiction and regulation of the Wildlife Resources Commission, lawful activities <br /> sponsored by agencies conducting biomedical research or training, lawful activities <br /> for sport. <br /> (k) Display: Display shall mean any exhibition, act, circus, public show, trade show, <br /> photographic opportunity, carnival ride, parade, race, performance, or similar <br /> undertaking in which animals are required to perform tricks, fights, wrestle or <br /> participate in performances for the amusement or entertainment of an audience, <br /> whether or not a fee is charged. "Display" shall not include the use or exhibition of <br /> animals for animal-related educational purposes by non-profit groups or institutions <br /> or individuals. "Displayed" means to be the subject thereof. <br /> (1) Domestic Animal: A domesticated or tame animal that is kept principally as a pet, <br /> except that livestock(other than rabbits kept as pets and not for productive purposes) <br /> and wild animals shall not be regarded as domestic animals. <br /> Adopted 1/21/2016 Unified Animal Control Ordinance Page 7 <br /> Effective 3/1/2016 <br />