Whenever any police officer or other authorized employee or agent of the town discovers any dog running at large or in other violation of the provisions of this chapter, the police officer, employee or agent shall capture the dog and impound it in the town pound; provided, that if the dog shows any symptoms of or is reasonably suspected of having rabies, or appears of a vicious nature as to make it reasonably appear that the animal at the time constitutes a menace to the safety of the one seeking to capture it, or any other person, then the officer, agent or employee of the town, or other person by his or her direction, may immediately shoot or otherwise kill the same on the spot, in as humane a manner as practical, and with due regard to the safety of other persons.
(Ord. passed 5-13-2003)
Statutory references:
Animal shelters, see G.S. § 160A-493
Protection of livestock and poultry from ranging dogs, see G.S. §§ 67-30 et seq.