16-2. Authority and Territorial Application.
- Purpose. As determined by state law, the Animal Services Center:
- Prevent the abuse and neglect of animals (N.C.G.S. 153A-127);
- Protect the public health, safety, and welfare (N.C.G.S. 153A-121);
- Enforce regulations regarding the possession or harboring of dangerous/potentially dangerous dogs (N.C.G.S. 153A-131);
- Protect the public and domestic animals from rabies (N.C.G.S. 130A-185);
- Educate the public regarding proper care for animals.
- This article is adopted pursuant to the power granted the County in N.C.G.S. 153A-121, 153A-127, 153A-153 and 153A-442. This Chapter shall apply to all unincorporated areas of the County and to those incorporated areas of any city or town specifically requesting its enforcement by the County upon the consent of the County Board of Commissioners. This request must be in writing in the form of a resolution approved by the governing body. (In making such a request, the city or town must comply with the requirements of N.C.G.S. 153A-122.) The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Sheriff of Henderson County.
- The County may contract annually with any municipality located within the County to enforce any animal restraint ordinance ("leash law") adopted by such municipality, on such terms and conditions (including the acceptability of the terms of such restraint ordinance) as are deemed advisable. Such contract shall require any such municipality to reimburse to the County all the costs associated with the enforcement of such a restraint ordinance. Henderson County shall not enforce any municipal leash or animal related laws in the municipality without a contractual agreement between the County and the municipality.
