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Adopted April 5, 1983 <br />Amended 2000 <br />AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE KEEPING OF <br />WILD ANIMALS DANGEROUS TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY <br />WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY <br />WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is concerned for the safety and <br />welfare of all of the citizens of Orange County as well as the safety and welfare of wild <br />animals, and desires to enact an ordinance prohibiting the keeping of wild animals dangerous <br />to persons and property in Orange County pursuant to Article 6 of Chapter 153A of the <br />General Statutes of North Carolina. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF <br />COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY as follows: <br />Section 1. Definitions. As used hereinafter, the followinq terms shall mean: <br />Director : The Director of the Orange County Health Department <br />Board : The Board of County Commissioners of Orange County. <br />Owner : Any person, firm, or corporation who keeps, has charge of, shelters, feeds, <br />harbors, or takes care of any wild animal in Orange County. <br />Wild Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property, hereinafter referred to as "Wild and <br />Dangerous Animals" : The term applies to the following animals: all felines (other than the <br />domestic house cat), nonhuman primates, bears, wolves, coyotes, reptiles (poisonous, crushing <br />and giant), and any crossbreed of such animals which have similar characteristics of the <br />animals specified herein. In order to properly administer the provisions of this Ordinance, the <br />Board may add to or remove from the classification of wild animal any bird, mammal, reptile, <br />aquatic and amphibious forms, or other members of the animal kingdom. Additions to or <br />deletions from the animals regulated herein may be made only if the Board determines, after <br />receiving evidence, that such animals because of habit, mode of life or natural instinct are <br />either capable or incapable of being domesticated, requires the exercise of art, force or skill to <br />keep them safely in subjection, and would or would not create a reasonable likelihood of <br />hazard to the public. <br />Section 2. Keeping of Wild and Dangerous Animals Prohibited. No person, firm or <br />corporation shall keep, shelter,. feed, harbor, or take care of any wild or dangerous animal <br />within Orange County <br />Section 3. Exemptions. The provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply to the <br />keeping of wild and dangerous animals as follows, provided, such keeping is in all respects in <br />compliance with applicable federal and state rules and regulations: