(A) There is created the Harnett County Animal Services Division (hereinafter referred to as “Animal Services”), which shall be composed of the General Services Director, Animal Services Manager, and such employees as shall be determined by the General Services Director and Animal Services Manager, and funded by the Board of Commissioners.
(B) Animal Services shall designate employees or agents enforcing this subchapter as Animal Control Officers. In performance of their duties, Animal Control Officers shall have the power, authority, and immunity granted under this subchapter and by the general laws of this state to enforce the provisions of this subchapter, and the North Carolina General Statutes as they relate to the care, treatment, control, or the impounding of animals.
(C) Except as may be otherwise provisions of this subchapter or other applicable laws shall be personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of such duties unless he acts with actual malice.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, or molest any Animal Control Officer, Police Officer, veterinarian or other duly appointed agent while in performance of any duty authorized by this subchapter or state law or seek to release any animal in the custody of such agent, except in the manner as herein provided. Each Animal Control Officer, while performing his/her respective duties, shall wear an identification insignia of size and design to be determined by the General Service Director and the Animal Services Manager.
(E) Animal Control Officers may store at the Animal Services Office, or carry in departmental vehicles, firearms approved for use, and use such firearms when necessary to enforce sections of this subchapter, or under applicable laws for the control of wild, dangerous, vicious, or diseased animals.
(Ord. passed 6-4-2018; Ord. 2022-25, passed 10-17-2022)