Loading...
Any animal which appears to be lost, abandoned, at large or unwanted, or which is found to be not wearing a currently valid tag in violation of Section 4-8, shall be confined in the Animal Shelter in a humane manner for redemption by the Owner, sale, adoption, or destruction.
(1) Sale or destruction. If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the Owner within seventy-two (72) hours, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and disposed of in one of the following manners: adopted as a pet by a new owner; sold to entities or institutions within this state registered by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Federal Animal Welfare Act, as amended; or put to death by a procedure approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States or the American Humane Association. The Animal Services Department shall maintain a record of all animals impounded under this section which shall include the date of impoundment; the duration of impoundment, the method of disposal of the animal and the name of the person, entity or institution to which any animal is released. Exceptions. Any animal impounded due to the owner of that animal being detained by law enforcement or due to a medical emergency must be redeemed by the owner, or person authorized by the owner, within one hundred and twenty (120) hours from the time of impoundment of that animal. At the end of the minimum time period indicated herein, unclaimed animals shall be deemed abandoned and the animal shall be disposed of in accordance with the Federal Animal Welfare Act G.S. 19A-31.1F. The Animal Services Department shall maintain a record of all animals impounded under this section which shall include the date of impoundment, the duration of impoundment, the method of disposal of the animal and the name of the person, entity or institution to which any animal is released.
(2) Notifying Owner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, the Animal Services Department shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Owner, and inform such Owner of the conditions whereby the animal may be redeemed.
(3) Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. The Animal Services Department shall require that all adopted dogs and cats released from the Animal Shelter be spayed or neutered.
(4) Suspected rabies. Animals impounded which have been bitten by a rabid animal or appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or sold, but shall be dealt with as provided in Section 4-7.
(5) Vicious, diseased or injured animals. If an animal is surrendered by the Owner to the Animal Services Department to be placed in a home or destroyed in a humane manner, it may be disposed of immediately following a seventy-two (72) hour holding period.
(6) Other diseased or injured animals. Any animal impounded which is badly injured or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be euthanized immediately in a humane manner. If the animal has identification, the Animal Services Department shall attempt to notify the Owner before euthanizing the animal.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 5-1-2023)
When any animal has been impounded, notice thereof shall be given to the Owner; or if the Owner is unknown or cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, then notice thereof shall be posted for seventy-two (72) hours and contain species of the animal, the time and place at which the animal was seized, together with the time and date of posting the notice. The time for redemption of the animal, as provided in this section, shall not begin to run until such notice has been given or posted. The Owner shall be entitled to resume possession of the animal, except as already provided for certain animals, upon compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and the payment of fees incurred according to the Fee Schedule and all other actual costs incurred by the county in connection with the rescue, capture, recapture, shelter and treatment. If applicable, each redeemed animal must be vaccinated against rabies, prior to redemption, at which time the Owner will be given a proof of rabies vaccination card and the Owner shall be responsible for the cost of the vaccination.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 5-1-2023)
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt from the provisions of this chapter except for provisions of cruel treatment and manner of keeping animals generally.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 5-1-2023)
It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, obstruct, hinder or molest the Animal Services Department or its officers and agents, or veterinarians in the performance of any duty authorized by this chapter, or release, attempt to release, or procure another to release or attempt to release any animal in the custody of the Animal Services Department except as is provided in this chapter.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 5-1-2023)
It shall be the duty of the Animal Services Department to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:
(1) Impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into the Animal Shelter.
(2) Bite cases, violations, and complaint investigations.
(3) All monies belonging to the county which are derived from impoundment fees, penalties and sales of animals.
(4) All other records deemed necessary by the county manager.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 5-1-2023)
The Fee Schedule for the administration of this Chapter is set forth in the Johnston County Fee Schedule adopted by the Johnston County Board of Commissions for the current fiscal year, and as may be amended from time to time.
Any additional costs or fees, beyond those listed in the Fee Schedule, incurred by the Animal Services Department for the special handling of animals, including but not limited to veterinary care and/or special dietary needs, shall be billed to the Owner of an at-cost basis. The determination of whether an animal requires special handling is evaluated of a case by case basis in the discretion of the Animal Services Department Head.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 10-5-2020; Amend. of 5-1-2023)