(A) (1) Pursuant to G.S. § 160A-175(c), a violation of any provision of this chapter shall subject the offender to a civil penalty to be recovered by the city in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender does not pay the civil penalty within 30 days from the date of issuance of the citation for violation of this chapter.
(2) Any law enforcement officer may issue a citation for the violations listed in this chapter. This shall not preclude or limit in any way any law enforcement officer from exercising any authority, or otherwise carrying out any of their duties as a law enforcement officer.
(3) Each person receiving a citation may, within 30 days of the time when issued the citation, submit to the violation and pay to the Police Department the applicable penalty listed in division (B) below for that violation. Said payment will be in full satisfaction for the violation, but will not preclude or limit in any way any law enforcement officer from issuing future citations for future violations.
(B) The following is a list of penalties for violations of this chapter:
(1) Violations: $150:
(a) Animals running at large: § 91.02;
(b) Nuisance animals: § 91.03;
(c) Confinement of female animals in heat: § 91.04;
(d) Teasing and molesting animals: § 91.06;
(e) Dogs must wear rabies and identification tag: § 91.30;
(f) Keeping stray dogs and cats: § 91.31; and
(g) Acts resulting in injury or death of dogs: § 91.33.
(2) Violations: $500:
(a) Vicious animals: § 91.05;
(b) Cruel treatment of animals: § 91.07;
(c) Animals prohibited at festivals, parades and events: § 91.12;
(d) Precautions against attacks by dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs: § 91.14;
(e) Interference with Animal Control Officer: § 91.53;
(f) Prohibition against tethering of dogs: § 91.32;
(g) Permit for three or more dogs/cats kept outside: § 91.35; and
(h) Improper care of animals: § 91.36.
(1997 Code, § 91.12)
(Ord. passed 1-26-1999; Ord. 2000-24, passed 8-8-2000; Ord. 2006-24, passed 6-13-2006; Ord. 2023.15, passed 10-17-2023)