Orange County NC Website
Animal Control Ordinance <br />Adopted 1/21/2016 Unified Animal Control Ordinance <br />Effective 3/1/2016 <br />a. The outcomes of the assessment described in subsection (k), above. <br />b. The nature of the original attack/s and the reasons for the original declaration <br />c. The manner in which the animal has been cared for and managed since the <br />declaration was imposed <br />d. Evidence of whether the animal’s behavior has changed since the declaration <br />due to the animal’s age, environment, training, or other factors <br />The Animal Services Director may revoke the declaration after considering the <br />application, the assessment, and the matters described in (k)a.-d., above. The Animal <br />Services Director shall issue written findings to the owner or keeper stating the <br />reason(s) for his or her decision and, if the Animal Services Director has denied the <br />revocation, the date upon which the owner or keeper may request further review of <br />the declaration by the Animal Services Director.The Animal Services Director’s <br />decision to revoke or not revoke a dangerous animal declaration shall not be <br />appealable as provided in Section 4-53. <br />Sec. 4-43. - Impoundment of animals. <br />Any animal found at large, found not to be wearing a currently valid rabies tag, has been <br />declared dangerousand is outside not in a secure pen or on a restraint, that is a danger to the <br />public, that is in imminent danger,or for any other reason designated in this Chapter is a public <br />nuisance and may be impounded and confined in the Animal Shelter in a humane manner for a <br />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 />animal may be redeemed. If unable to give notice by telephone, an official, dated, <br />written notice shall be mailed to the registered owner by certified mail, return receipt <br />requested, giving notice of the impoundment and the conditions whereby the animal <br />may be redeemed. <br />(b) Reclamation.A domesticated animal impounded under this Chapter may be reclaimed <br />by its Owner or Keeper according to procedures of Animal Services. The owner or <br />keeper of an impounded domesticated animal shall be responsible for and shall pay all <br />expenses, boarding costs, redemption privilege taxes and costs associated with such <br />impoundment prior to reclaiming the animal. Unless reclaimed, the impounded <br />domesticated animal may be allowed to be adopted or humanely euthanized according <br />to Animal Services procedures after five days of impoundment. Feral dogs and cats <br />may be held for 72 hours and then euthanized pursuant to Animal Services procedures <br />for humane euthanasia. The Owner or Keeper of an impounded domesticated animal <br />shall also comply with any vaccination and licensing directives and be responsible for <br />the payment to Orange County of all civil penalties and license privilege taxes imposed <br />or associated with the animal's impoundment as prescribed in any citation or notice <br />issued by the Animal Services Director. Animals impounded in accordance with N.C. <br />Gen. Stat. 130A-196, after having bitten a person, not reclaimed within 72 hours after <br />the end of the quarantine period will be considered abandoned and will become the <br />11