(A) Pursuant to authority granted by the North Carolina General Assembly, this chapter is enacted to regulate, restrict or prohibit, if necessary, animals; to protect the public from unvaccinated, diseased, stray, roaming, dangerous or wild animals; to make unlawful acts of animals that interfere with the enjoyment of property or the peace and safety of the community; and to carry out any other lawful duties authorized by state laws and applicable ordinances.
(B) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABATTOIR. Place for killing animals; a place where animals are slaughtered for their meat and by-products. Also called a SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
ANIMAL. Every living creature, domestic or non-domestic, but does not include humans.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises designated by the County Health Director for the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals.
AT LARGE. Any animal shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the property of its owner or keeper, not under physical restraint or when not under the control of the owner or other person accompanying the animal by means of a leash or line of some type not exceeding 6 feet or a reasonable length in the case of an animal-drawn cart, wagon or similar object, nor within a private vehicle with the consent of the operator thereof.
CAT. A domestic feline of any age.
COUNTY. Robeson County.
DEPREDATE. Laying waste or plundering.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. An animal kept at home as a pet; an animal kept for companionship, interest or amusement.
DOG. A domestic canine of any age.
EXPOSED TO RABIES
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An animal shall be deemed to have been exposed to rabies if it has been bitten by or been in the presence of any animal known or suspected to have been infected with rabies.
IMPOUNDMENT. Any animal in custody of a person or animal shelter duly authorized by the Robeson County Health Department.
KEEPER. A person having custody of an animal or who keeps or harbors an animal or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied or controlled by the person.
NUISANCE. An animal or group of animals shall be considered a nuisance if it:
(a) Damages, soils or defiles private or public property;
(b) Interferes with, molests or attacks persons or other animals;
(c) Is repeatedly at large;
(d) Causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions including fouling of the air by odors;
(e) Chases, snaps at, harasses or impedes pedestrians, bicyclists or vehicles;
(f) By virtue of number or type is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare;
(g) Is diseased or dangerous to the public health; or
(h) Creates noise or any other undesirable action.
OWNER. A person having the right of property in an animal, any person owning, keeping, harboring or responsible for an animal and for the purpose of this chapter the head of a household shall be deemed to be the owner in respect to any animal owned, kept or harbored by any person residing in the household and kept on the premises.
RESTRAINT. Any animal shall be considered under restraint if it is within the real property limits of its owner or secured by a leash or lead or confined.
STRAY. Any domestic animal not under restraint and found off the property of its owner or keeper.
SUSPECTED OF HAVING RABIES. An animal, which is unvaccinated against rabies or has bitten a person.
TOWN. Town of Fairmont.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL. Any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. An animal that constitutes a physical threat to humans or other domestic animals.
(Ord. passed 5-13-2003)