(A) (1) Any violation of this chapter is both a civil offense and a misdemeanor criminal offense.
(2) The fine for a criminal violation of this chapter shall be up to $500 or larger if allowed by G.S. § 14-4. Misdemeanor violations shall be enforced by the issuance of citations or by arrest according to the same procedures used for other criminal violations.
(B) The first violation of this chapter shall subject to the violator to a civil penalty of $50 and impoundment of the offending animal or animals. The second violation during a 12-month period shall be subject to a civil penalty of $200 and impoundment of the offending animal or animals. The third violation of this chapter, within a 12-month period, shall subject to the violator to a civil penalty of $300 and banning the of offending animal or animals from the city limits. Civil citations shall be served personally upon the owner or violator by a animal control officer, by a member of the City Police Department or by any other means authorized for the service of civil process by the State Rules of Civil Procedure. If a violator fails to pay the civil penalty within ten days after being notified of the amount due, the city shall seek to recover the penalty together with all costs by filing a civil action in the General Court of Justice in the nature of a suit to collect a debt.
(C) Appeal of civil penalty shall be made within seven days of issuance of citation or notice of violation. The appeal shall be made to the City Manager, and the City Manager will conduct a hearing on the appeal. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.
(Ord. 6-3-11, passed - -2011)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see G.S. § 14-4