§ 4-8. Entrapment of animals.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any unlicensed person to trap, by cage or mechanical device, any animal without the written permission of animal control. It shall also be unlawful for any person to release any animal from a trap set by animal control or from a trap set by a person who has written permission from animal control. It shall not be a violation of this chapter for a person to apprehend an animal on his property by hand; however, the person must contact animal control within 24 hours of catching the animal. Animal control officers do not trap or remove wildlife.

(b)

Humane animal traps for dogs and cats may be obtained by calling Town Hall. The animal control officer will deliver the trap and give instructions for use to the person that has made the request. At time of delivery, an application shall be completed and signed by the person requesting the use of the trap. The application, which will be kept on file at Town Hall, will inform the user that the trap can be issued for a period of 15 days; and, at the end of the 15-day period, the animal control officer shall pick up the trap. If the trap is not at the registered location or cannot be produced, there will be a replacement fine in accordance with the fee schedule and other applicable laws. The animal control officers will handle removal of trapped animals. Any person guilty of violations of this section shall be subject to civil proceedings, or by any other remedy provided for under G.S. 160A-175.

(Ord. of 2-12-2002, art. VI, § 7; Ord. of 9-8-2008; Amend. of 4-12-2011; Amend. of 1-14-2014; Amend. of 9-9-2014)