Revised Enforcement of Wild and Dangerous Animals

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Sec. 4-184. - Enforcement. (a) Investigations. The Orange County Animal Services Department shall investigate any complaints that a wild and dangerous animal is possessed or harbored in Orange County in violation of this Ordinance to determine whether or not a violation has occurred. (b) Violations. Upon determining a violation of this Division has occurred, The Animal Services Director or its designee may: (1) Provide written notification of the violation(s) that shall require the Owner or Keeper to remove the animal(s) from the County within twenty-four (24) hours or such lesser time as designated in the notice. The Owner or Keeper of any animal that has been required to remove the animal pursuant to this Section shall, within five (5) days after removal, inform the Animal Services Director in writing of the animal’s present location, including the name, address, and telephone number of the animal’s Owner or Keeper. If the animal has been destroyed, the Animal Services Director shall be informed of the name, address, and telephone number of the person who destroyed such animal. (2) Impound the animal as a danger to the public. If the animal is impounded, authorization for reclamation after any required holding period shall be granted when the Animal Services Director or its designee is reasonably assured that the impounded animal shall be immediately removed from the County, including by the Owner or Keeper of the animal providing the intended location of the animal, including the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the property where the animal shall be kept. Following reclamation, the Owner or Keeper shall provide notice confirming the animal’s present location or destruction as described in subsection 4-184(b)(1), above. If the Owner or Keeper fails to provide the Animal Services Director reasonable assurance that the impounded animal will be immediately removed from the County upon reclamation, as described above, within five (5) days of impoundment, will become property of Animal Services and dispositioned in accordance with Animal Services’ procedures. (c) Recovery of Costs. The Owner or Keeper of any wild and dangerous animal shall reimburse the County for all costs incurred by the County related to the recapture,impoundment, care, euthanasia, and/or relocation of the animal. (c) Penalties. (1) Criminal Summons - A violation of any provision of this Division constitutes a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided in North Carolina General Statutes § 14-4. Each day's continuing violation shall constitute a separate offense. (2) Civil penalty - A person who violates any of the provisions of this Division shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500.00 per animal. No penalty shall be assessed until the person alleged to be in violation has