§ 4-44. Running at large.

(a)

[ Running at large prohibited. ] It shall be unlawful for any dog to be running at large.

(b)

Animal at large. If animal control receives an at large complaint and an animal control officer does not personally observe the animal at large, the officer shall investigate said complaint. The animal control officer shall have authority to go on and about private property to investigate said complaint. Upon a finding of probable cause to believe the animal was at large he may issue a written notice of violation and/or civil penalty. If an animal control officer observes an animal off of the owner's property and not under physical restraint, he may impound the animal. When the same animal has been repeatedly impounded or the owner has been repeatedly cited for his animal(s) being at large, animal control or law enforcement may declare the animal(s) a habitual public nuisance and/or cite the owner for maintaining a habitual public nuisance. The animal(s) shall then be housed or confined according to the instructions of animal control or law enforcement. If the animal(s) is/are subsequently found at large or the owner is subsequently cited for his animal(s) being at large, the animal control or law enforcement may impound the animal(s) and initiate an action in district court for custody of the animal or animals based on the owner's failure to abate the nuisance. If any dog is found to be running at large or to be a habitual public nuisance, the owners of the dog shall be subject to criminal and/or civil proceedings, or by any other remedy provided for under G.S. 160A-175. Fines for civil violations are set in the town's fee schedule maintained at the Town Hall.

(Ord. of 11-14-2000(5), art. VI, § 1; Ord. of 2-12-2002, art. VI, § 1; Amend. of 4-12-2011; Amend. of 1-14-2014)