For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTS DEEMED PUBLIC NUISANCE. It shall be unlawful for any animal owner to keep or have within Person County any animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, attacks or provokes pedestrians, bicyclists or vehicles, turns over garbage pails, damages gardens, flowers or vegetables, conducts itself so as to be a public nuisance or permits a female animal to run at large during the erotic stage of copulation. If an animal is caught doing any of the above, and an official complaint is filed and the owner, if known, is notified, the owner is required to keep the animal contained; each day the animal is not contained, the owner is found not to be in compliance with this chapter; each day thereafter constitutes a separate violation of this chapter.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. A county employee designated as Dog Warden, Animal Control Officer, Animal Control Official or other designations that may be used, whose responsibility includes animal control.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises designated by the county for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals found running at large or otherwise subject to impounding in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
AT LARGE. Any animal shall be deemed to be AT LARGE when he or she is off the property of his or her owner and not under the control of a competent person.
DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:
(1) Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person;
(2) Is declared vicious by the Chief Animal Control Officer pursuant to G.S. § 130A-200; or
(3) Is determined by the Chief Animal Control Officer to be potentially dangerous and, after this determination, engages in one or more of the behaviors listed in the definition for "potentially dangerous dog” in this section.
EXPOSED TO RABIES. An animal has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of this chapter if it has been bitten by or been exposed to any animal known or suspected to have been infected with rabies.
KENNEL, DEALER, BREEDER or PET SHOP. Any person, group of persons, partnership or corporation engaged in buying, selling, breeding or boarding pet animals.
NEUTERED MALE. Any male which has been operated upon to prevent reproduction.
OWNER. Any person, group of persons, firm, partnership or corporation owning, keeping, having charge of, sheltering, feeding, harboring or taking care of any animal. The OWNER is responsible for the care, actions and behavior of his or her animals.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:
(1) Inflicted a bite on a person either upon public or private real property;
(2) Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner's real property; or
(3) Approached a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack.
RESTRAINT. An animal is under RESTRAINT within the meaning of this chapter if he or she is controlled by means of a chain, leash or other like device, is secured within a vehicle being driven or parked, or is within a secure enclosure.
SPAYED FEMALE. Any female which has been operated upon to prevent conception.
STRAY DOG OR CAT. Any dog or cat within the county wandering at large or lost and does not have an owner, any dog or cat within the county whose owner fails to list the animal for license purposes or fails to have the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian, or any dog not wearing a collar and current rabies tag.
VACCINATION. The administration of rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian or by a certified rabies vaccinator.
(Ord. passed 4-5-93; Am. Ord. passed 3-11-13; Am. Ord. passed 3-9-15)
Statutory reference:
Similar definitions, see G.S. § 130A-184