16- 25. Animal Abandonment
Unless otherwise specified by this Ordinance, animals, including domestic and livestock, that have been abandoned by their owner shall become the property of the County. For the purpose of this Ordinance, an abandoned animal shall be defined as an animal that is on public property or is reported on private property by the property owner whose owner is unknown and cannot be determined by a reasonable search by Enforcement Officers.
- Adoption and Euthanasia. Animals that have been abandoned shall be held by the Animal Services Department for 72 hours unless otherwise specified by this Ordinance. After 72 hours, Animal Services may adopt out or humanely destroy any abandoned animal.
- Redemption. Any person claiming to be the owner of an animal must pay the reclaim fee, boarding fee, any veterinary costs and any other costs incurred by the County for the animal prior to the animal being released. Redemption is defined as reclaim for lost, abandoned animals, or animals that have violated the Animal Ordinance and shall not include animals held under quarantine. In the case of cats and dogs, no animal shall be released without being micro chipped. In the case of livestock, Animal Services may require some proof from the person of ownership of this animal prior to its release.
- Owner Search. Enforcement Officers shall conduct a reasonable search for the owner of the abandoned animal which may include but is not limited to a microchip scan, an investigation of the neighborhood, information supplied on the Animal Services website, or notices on local media outlets.
- Willful Abandonment. Any person found to be willfully releasing animals into the community, including but not limited to leaving animals by the side of the road, releasing animals into parks or leaving animals in parking lots shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. ยง14.4, and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500.
