(A) In order to abate the aforementioned problems and enforce the regulations hereinafter set forth, primary responsibility is hereby delegated to the animal control officer. The animal control officer, in the performance of his or her duties, shall have all the powers, authorities and immunities granted under this chapter and by the general laws of this State to enforce the provisions of the Chapter and the General Statutes of North Carolina which relate to the care, treatment or impounding of animals.
(B) The animal control officer shall be charged with certain duties including:
(1) Seeing that all dogs in the town are duly licensed;
(2) Cooperating with the Johnston County Health Director and health officers and assisting them in the enforcement of the laws of the State of North Carolina with regard to the care, custody and control of animals, and especially with regard to the vaccination of dogs against rabies and the confinement or leashing of vicious animals;
(3) Investigating complaints with regard to matters covered by this chapter; and
(4) Enforcing within the town all of the state laws and ordinances enacted by the town for the care, control and custody of animals covered by this chapter.
(C) Except as may otherwise be provided by statute or local law or ordinance, no official, agent or employee of the municipality charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law 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 or she acted 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 the performance of any duty authorized by this chapter, or to seek to release any animal in the custody of said agents except in the manner as herein provided.
(Ord. 121, passed 11-11-1993) Penalty, see § 94.999