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. S <br /> County Government Legal Responsibilities for Animal Services <br /> The Orange County Health Department is charged with enforcing the North <br /> Carolina General Statutes contained in Chapter 130A-184 through 200, known <br /> as the Rabies Control Statutes. <br /> The County is responsible for administering NCGS 67-4.1-67-4.5, known as the <br /> Dangerous Dog law. This statute is administered through a municipal or county <br /> animal control agency. Because animal control services are administered by two <br /> municipalities and the county, this law is administered by three separate animal <br /> control entities within Orange County. <br /> Orange County Commissioners appoint animal cruelty investigators annually <br /> under NCGS 19A-45. This is not a mandatory requirement of the county. These <br /> investigators have been members of the Animal Protection Society of Orange <br /> County. Orange County Animal Control Officers also conduct animal cruelty <br /> investigations.. <br /> NCGS 153A-121 states that: (underline added) <br /> "(a)A county may by ordinance define, regulate, prohibit, or abate acts, <br /> omissions, or conditions detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of its citizens <br /> and the peace and dignity of the county and may define and abate nuisances." <br /> North Carolina General Statute 153A-442 defines the legal responsibility for <br /> animal sheltering services in the following way (underline added): <br /> " A county may establish, equip; operate, and maintain an animal shelter or may <br /> contribute to the support of an animal shelter, and for these purposes may <br /> appropriate funds not otherwise limited as to use by law. (1973, c. 822, s. 1.)" <br /> In 1987 Orange County Commissioners approved an Animal Control Ordinance <br /> for the unincorporated areas of the county. That ordinance has been revised five <br /> times , the last in 1996. That ordinance contains a section that states in Section <br /> 11: "Orange County shall operate and maintain a County Animal Shelter for the <br /> purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of state law, <br /> this ordinance or any other county or municipal ordinance. Orange County may <br /> contract,for the operation of the Animal Shelter as it deems appropriate." <br /> Chapel Hill and Carrboro each have their own animal control ordinance. <br /> Hillsborough has by formal action adopted the county ordinance as applicable <br /> within Hillsborough. <br /> Animal Control and Animal Sheltering Services in Municipalities and <br /> Unincorporated Areas <br /> Animal Control Services <br /> In Carrboro, animal control services are provided by one animal control officer <br /> located within the Carrboro Police Department. Afterhours and weekend calls <br />