§ 90.99 PENALTY.

   (A)   Any person violating any provision of this chapter for which no specific penalty is prescribed shall be subject to § 10.99 of this code of ordinances.

   (B)   Penalties and remedies for §§ 90.01 through 90.15 shall be as follows:

      (1)   Misdemeanor. Notwithstanding any civil penalties outlined herein, any person violating any provision of §§ 90.01 through 90.15 constitutes a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided under G.S. § 14-4 or any other applicable section for misdemeanor sentencing. Each day’s continuing violation shall constitute a separate offense.

      (2)   Equitable remedies. The provisions of §§ 90.01 through 90.15 may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy issuing from a court of competent jurisdiction.

      (3)   Civil penalties. In addition to other remedies for violations of §§ 90.01 through 90.15, the Animal Services Manager or any person authorized by him/her may issue to the owner or the person in possession of said animal, a citation giving notice of the violation of this subchapter. Any such official shall be authorized to secure the name, address, and birth date of the owner or the person in possession of the animal in violation. Citations issued may be delivered in person or mailed by registered or certified mail to the person charged if he/she cannot otherwise be readily located. Any such citation shall impose upon the owner or the person in possession a civil penalty of $100 per animal for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $400 for the third and any subsequent violation. Said penalties must be paid within 20 consecutive days to Harnett County Animal Services. In the event the owner or the person in possession of the animal or violator does not appear in response to the aforementioned citation, or if the applicable penalty is not paid within the time prescribed, a criminal summons shall be issued against the violator, owner, the person in possession of the animal in violation of this subchapter, and upon conviction, the violator, owner, the person in possession, or the person having custody of the animal shall be punished as the court prescribes under division (B)(1) of this section.

   (C)   (1)   Penalties and remedies for §§ 90.30 through 90.41 shall be in accordance with division (B) above.

      (2)    Any owner found in violation of § 90.39 will be required to release the dog to the county’s Animal Control Department for euthanasia and will face a civil fine of $400.

(Ord. passed 4-17-2006; Ord. passed 5-5-2008; Ord. passed 6-4-2018; Ord. 2022-25, passed 10-17-2022)