(A) It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat owner to fail to comply with the state laws relating to the control of rabies, and it shall be unlawful for any dog owner to fail to provide any dog he or she owns with a suitable collar or harness for the wearing of the rabies tag to be issued upon compliance with the state law, and to take such action as is necessary to see that the tag is worn by the dog at all times, except as otherwise provided in § 92.40(G). Collar or harness with attached tag must be worn at all times, except during the time animals are performing at shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, field trials, training schools or other events sanctioned and supervised by a recognized organization. It is not required that cats must wear collars or rabies tags; however, all cats must be vaccinated for rabies and listed for license purposes. Proof of the above must be presented upon request of the Animal Control Officer. It is the purpose of this chapter to supplement the state law by providing a procedure for the enforcement of state laws relating to rabies control.
(B) Unless proof of vaccination is available, it shall be the duty of the county administrative staff to give every person who owns, redeems or adopts a dog or cat a proof of rabies vaccination card, and a record will be maintained of the vaccination.
(C) In addition to all other penalties prescribed by law, a dog or cat is subject to impoundment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the owner of the dog or cat cannot furnish evidence of license fee listings, if the dog is not wearing a currently valid rabies tag, or proof cannot be given that a cat has been vaccinated for rabies. It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any dog or cat a vaccination tag issued for a dog or cat other than the one using the tag.
(D) It is recommended that animals be micro-chipped in the event that the collar and tags are lost for identification purposes.
(Ord. passed 4-5-93; Am. Ord. passed 3-11-13; Am. Ord. passed 3-9-15) Penalty, see § 92.99
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see G.S. § 130A-190