The following general provisions shall apply to this chapter:
(a) Animal services. Authority is hereby granted to Brunswick County animal services to enforce this chapter. This chapter shall be enforced by all animal services officers (as defined in subsection (c), having all rights, powers and immunities granted in this subsection (a)(1)—(13). All employees of animal services are hereby granted the following rights, powers, and immunities and said employees, through animal services shall:
(1) Have the responsibility, along with law enforcement agencies to enforce all laws of North Carolina and all ordinances of Brunswick County pertaining to animals and shall cooperate with all law enforcement officers within Brunswick County in fulfilling this duty;
(2) Enforce and carry out all laws of North Carolina and all ordinances of Brunswick County pertaining to rabies control;
(3) Be responsible for the investigation of all reported animal bites, for the quarantine of any dog or cat having or suspected of having rabies for a period of not less than ten days, and for reporting to the local health director as soon as practicable the occurrence of any such animal bite and the condition of any quarantined animal;
(4) Be responsible for the operation of the animal shelter;
(5) Be responsible for the seizure and impoundment, when necessary, of any animal of Brunswick County involved in a violation of this or any other ordinance or state law;
(6) Investigate cruelty or abuse of animals and protect animals from cruelty or abuse;
(7) Be empowered to seize animals pursuant to G.S. 19A-46, or with the consent of an owner or occupant of the property, or as evidence if the animals are in "plain view", or by criminal or administrative search warrant if the animals are being cruelly treated or abused;
(8) Make canvasses of homes and businesses in the county as necessary for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with this chapter or state statute;
(9) Keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of seizures, impoundments, and disposition of animals coming into the custody of animal services, bite cases, violations, complaints, investigations, and monies collected;
(10) Be empowered to issue notices of violation and assess civil penalties for violations of this chapter;
(11) Be empowered to go in the yard of animal owners to inspect the condition of animals;
(12) Be empowered to make inspections of buildings or dwellings with the consent of the owner or occupant, or by administrative search warrant, or criminal search warrant when there is reasonable cause to believe that this chapter or state law is being violated; and
(13) Be empowered to go upon private property to seize animals pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or court order.
(b) Animal services director. The Brunswick County animal services director shall be the chief animal services officer, be in charge of animal services, and supervise the Brunswick County Animal Shelter. The animal services director shall have the authority to delegate to his animal services officers or administrative staff any of the powers granted him by this chapter. Any act done by an animal services officer or a member of the administrative staff that is in compliance with or within the scope of this chapter, shall be considered the official act of the animal services director.
(c) Animal services officer. All persons employed by the Brunswick County animal services department shall be considered animal services officers and shall have all rights, powers, and immunities granted under this chapter and by the general laws of this state to enforce the provisions of this chapter and the General Statutes of North Carolina as they relate to animal control and animal welfare. All animal services officers are hereby appointed animal cruelty investigators.
(Ord. No. 2007-1001, Art. I, (3), 10-26-2007; Ord. No. 2007-1003, 10-26-2007)