Orange County NC Website
Animal Control Ordinance <br />Adopted 1/21/2016 Unified Animal Control Ordinance Page 10 <br />Effective 3/1/2016 <br />(ii) Tethering: To restrain a dog outdoors by means of a rope, chain, wire or other type <br />of line for holding a dog one end of which is fastened to the dog and the opposite <br />end of which is connected to a stationary object or to a cable or trolley system. This <br />does not include walking a dog with a handheld leash. <br />(jj) Veterinary Hospital: Any place or establishment which is maintained and operated <br />under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian as a hospital where animals are <br />harbored, boarded and cared for incidental to the treatment, prevention or alleviation <br />of disease processes during the routine practice of the profession of veterinary <br />medicine for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals. <br />(kk) Wild Animals: An animal (other than livestock) that typically is found in a non- <br />domesticated state and that, because of its size or dangerous propensity or because it <br />is poisonous, venomous or for any other substantial reason, poses a potential danger <br />to persons, other animals or property, whether bred in the wild or in captivity and <br />includes any or all hybrids bred with these animals and domestic species. <br /> (Ord. of 6-16-1987, § VII, eff. 1-1-1988; Amend. of 12-2-1996, eff. 1-1-1997; Amend. <br />of 11-18-08, eff. 11-19-08) <br />Sec. 4-38. - Animal control program. <br />The Orange County Animal Control Program, as herein described and as <br />otherwise described in other County ordinances related to animals and as otherwise <br />described in the laws of North Carolina, shall be administered by the Animal Services <br />Director. Specifically: <br />(a) The Animal Services Director shall have the duties of Animal Control Officer <br />and direct the duties of designated County employees or agents in carrying out <br />the enforcement of this Ordinance as Animal Control Officers including the <br />duties of Rabies Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators. <br /> <br />(b) Except as may be otherwise provided by law, no officer, agent, or employee of <br />the County charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this Ordinance <br />or other applicable laws, shall be personally liable for any damage that may <br />accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the <br />discharge of such duty unless he or she acts with actual malice. <br /> <br />(c) Animal Control Officers shall have the authority to enter onto and inspect any <br />premises , dwelling, rooming units, barns and other outbuildings, any part of <br />the curtilage thereof, or any enclosure to (1) conduct any investigation of a <br />dog alleged or suspected of being potentially dangerous or dangerous; or (2) <br />apprehend a dog determined to be potentially dangerous or dangerous or as <br />to which there is reasonable suspicion to believe is potentially dangerous or <br />dangerous; or (3) impound an animal determined to be in imminent danger <br />due to Cruel Treatment or as to which there is reasonable suspicion to <br />believe is in imminent danger due to Cruel Treatment; or (4) investigate any