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RABIES; IMPOUNDMENT; CARE AND PROTECTION; ADMINISTRATION
The Administrator shall cooperate with and assist the Randolph County rabies inspectors in their efforts to see that all animals are vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the provisions of G.S. §§ 130A-184 through 130A-199.
(1981 Code, § 10-16) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001)
(A) Every animal that has bitten any person or that shows symptoms of rabies shall be securely confined for a period of at least 10 days and shall not be released from the quarantine except by written permission of the Administrator.
(B) (1) The owner of an animal that has bitten any person or that shows symptoms of rabies shall report the same immediately to the Administrator.
(2) Any person bitten by any animal shall immediately report the incident to the Administrator.
(C) (1) Animals quarantined in accordance with this section shall be confined in veterinary hospital or the town animal shelter, at the owner's expense, unless the Administrator determines that the owner has adequate confinement facilities upon his or her own premises.
(2) For purposes of this section, ADEQUATE CONFINEMENT FACILITIES means a fenced in area that has no entrances or exits that are not locked, or a similar area providing equivalent security.
(D) (1) If rabies does not develop during the period of confinement, the Administrator shall authorize the release of the animal.
(2) If rabies does develop, the animal shall be disposed of as provided in § 96.08 above.
(1981 Code, § 10-17) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001; Am. Ord. passed 2021)
(A) (1) In accordance with G.S. § 130A-197, every rabid animal, after rabies has been diagnosed by a licensed graduate veterinarian, shall be killed at once in a humane manner by the Administrator, or at his or her direction; except that, if the animal has bitten a human being, the animal shall be confined under the supervision of a licensed graduate until death of an animal.
(2) The remains of the animal shall be disposed of as provided in G.S. § 130A-197.
(B) (1) In accordance with G.S. § 130A-197, every animal known to have been bitten by another animal that is known or proved to be rabid shall be killed by the Administrator or at his or her direction, unless the animal has been properly vaccinated against rabies and be re-vaccinated in 3 days.
(2) The animal shall be closely confined for 90 days. If, during this period, the animal shows symptoms of rabies the provision of § 96.26 shall apply.
(3) At the end of this period, the animal may be released form confinement if declared free from rabies by a licensed veterinarian or a rabies inspector appointed in accordance with G.S. § 130A-186.
(1981 Code, § 10-18) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001)
(A) The Administrator may impound any animal that:
(1) Is found running at large;
(2) In accordance with § 96.26, has bitten any person or is otherwise suspected of having rabies; or
(3) Is found to be mistreated, or without proper care, in accordance with G.S. § 14-360 because of the incapacitation or absence of its owner or keeper.
(B) Whenever an animal is impounded, or whenever an animal otherwise lawfully comes into the possession of the Administrator, that animal shall:
(1) (a) If the animal is wearing a tag, be kept temporarily by the town pending transfer to the Randolph County Animal Control Shelter.
(b) The animal shall, at the discretion of the Administrator, be held for up to 5 days by the town and, after the fifth day, if not reclaimed by the owner, be put up for adoption, transferred to Randolph County Animal Control Shelter, or euthanized; or
(2) (a) If the animal is not wearing a tag and is not reclaimed within 2 hours from the Town of Liberty, it may be taken to the Randolph County Animal Control Shelter.
(b) The Town of Liberty shall at the discretion of the Administrator, hold the animal for up to 3 days. After the third day, if not reclaimed by the owner, be put up for adoption, transferred to the Randolph County Animal Control shelter, or euthanized.
(C) Whenever an animal is impounded or otherwise comes into the possession of the Administrator, the Administrator shall make reasonable efforts to identify the owner, notify him or her of the impoundment, and advise him or her of the conditions under which the animal may be reclaimed.
(1981 Code, § 10-21) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001; Am. Ord. passed 2021)
(A) An animal taken to the County Animal Control shelter may be reclaimed by the owners, adopted by others, or destroyed in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the county for the administration of the animal control shelter.
(B) If the animal is held by the Town of Liberty and is not reclaimed by the owner within the holding period stated in § 96.28(B)(1) and (2) above, the animal becomes the property of the town and is eligible to be released for adoption or destroyed in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Town of Liberty.
(C) (1) Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every person who either adopts or reclaims an animal at the shelter will be given a proof of rabies vaccination notice at the time of reclaiming or adoption.
(2) This notice shall contain a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the animal to the veterinarian of the person's choice for rabies vaccination.
(3) The time limit for dogs 4 months and older will be 72 hours, with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies under 4 months of age, the time limit will vary according to their age.
(4) The proof of rabies vaccination notice will be completed by the veterinarian and returned to the animal shelter by the animal owner within 72 hours of the vaccination.
(5) Payment for rabies vaccination provided for in this section shall be the responsibility of the person reclaiming or adopting the animal.
(D) Any animal surrendered by its owner to the Administrator may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely destroyed when:
(1) The owner directs in writing that the animal be placed for adoption or humanely destroyed;
(2) The owner affirmatively represents in writing that they are the legal owner of the animal;
(3) The owner agrees that they will indemnify and hold the Town of Liberty and the Administrator harmless from any loss or damage it may sustain, including attorney's fees, by reason of the destruction or placement for adoption of the animal; and
(4) The owner transfers ownership of the animal to the town and releases the town and the Administrator from any and all future claims with respect to this animal.
(E) (1) If an animal is not redeemed within the holding period stated in § 96.28(B)(1) and (2) above, by its owner, it may be humanely destroyed.
(2) Euthanasia is to be performed by animal control personnel who have completed training by a licensed veterinarian. Euthanasia procedures must be approved by a licensed veterinarian.
(3) Any animal seized and impounded which is badly wounded, diseased (not a rabies suspect) or unweaned may be immediately destroyed.
(4) If the animal has identification, the Administrator or officer shall attempt to notify the owner before destroying the animal.
(5) If the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the Administrator or officer may destroy the animal at his or her discretion in a humane manner.
(F) (1) The town may assess a reasonable fee for the trapping and handling of animals held temporarily by the Town of Liberty.
(2) The fee will be collected prior to the animal being released.
(3) The amount of this fee shall be established and revised from time to time by resolution of the Council upon recommendation of the Manager.
(G) (1) If an animal cannot be seized by reasonable means (trapped, tranquilized or captured) and the Administrator deems it necessary to seize the animal at the cost of its life, then the Administrator or his or her designee may destroy the animal.
(2) All consideration must be given to protecting surrounding people and property when this action is necessary.
(1981 Code, § 10-22) (Ord. passed 2-26-2001; Am. Ord. passed 2021)
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