For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. The Animal Control Officer or any other person designated by the Manager to perform the responsibilities assigned by this chapter to the Administrator.
ANIMAL. For the purpose of this chapter an animal shall mean any domestic animal, any fowl, livestock, or wild animal as defined in this section.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person designated by the Manager, or any Liberty Police Department (LPD) officer or any person designated by the Administrator to perform duties relating to animal control.
ANIMAL SHELTER. The facility provided, chosen by or contracted by the Town of Liberty or the Administrator for the purposes of impoundment, restraint, care and/or disposition of animals.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. A nonferal, domesticated or tame animal that is kept principally as a pet, except that wild animals shall not be regarded as domestic animals.
EXOTIC MAMMALS. All mammals designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Agriculture, or other federal or state public health protection agencies as embargoed or prohibited under legal protection orders.
EXOTIC REPTILES. All reptiles not native to North Carolina, or any poisonous/venomous reptile, regardless of whether or not it is native to North Carolina.
FERAL CAT. A cat that was once a domesticated pet but now is adapting or adapted to living in a non- domesticated setting, or a cat born in a non-domesticated setting.
FOWL. Chickens, ducks geese, turkeys, guineas or other domesticated or wild gallinaceous bird.
IN HEAT. The erotic stage of copulation.
KEEPER. A person having custody of an animal or who keeps or harbors an animal or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied or controlled by the person. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for 72 hours or more.
LIVESTOCK. Horses, ponies, mules, cattle, goats, sheep, other hoofed animals excluding swine.
OWNER. The person having the possessory property right in an animal.
OWNER'S PREMISES. Any real property owned or leased by the owner of the animal, but does not include any public right-of-way or common area of an apartment complex, condominium or townhouse development.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON. A person who provides food or water or shelter to any animal. A person who is in possession of, charge of, custody of or control of any animal, synonymous with owner/keeper.
RESTRAINT. Confinement within an enclosure or carrying case; use by a responsible person of a leash, chain or other physical device of sufficient strength to allow control to be maintained; controlled by a responsible person when the animal is obedient to that person's commands.
RUNS AT LARGE.
(1) When an animal is off the premises of the owner or keeper and is not under the immediate and effective restraint of the owner or other competent person in charge of the animal.
(2) If the animal has no known keeper, wandering about on public or private property.
SECURE ENCLOSURE.
(1) An enclosure from which an animal cannot escape unless freed by a keeper or his or her agent.
(2) An automobile, truck or other vehicle shall be considered a SECURE ENCLOSURE during transport only if the animal cannot escape from it unless freed by a keeper or his or her agent and if ventilation is provided for the animal's adequate respiration and temperature control.
SWINE. Hogs, pigs or any other member of the various stout-bodied short-legged Suidae family, excluding pot-bellied pigs.
WILD ANIMAL. An animal that:
(1) Typically is found in a non-domesticated state and that, because of its size or vicious propensity, or because it is poisonous/venomous, or for any other substantial reason, poses a potential danger to person, other animals or property; or
(2) Is classified as a wild animal by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) so that any person wishing to possess the same is required by state law to obtain a permit from WRC.
WILD AND DANGEROUS ANIMALS. Animals of the cat, bear, and wolf species and nonhuman primates that are normally born and live in wild habitat, even though such species may be raised and kept in captivity.
(1981 Code, § 10-1) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001; Am. Ord. passed 4-23-2001; Am. Ord. passed 2021)