§ 4-1. Definitions

In the construction of this article, the following definitions shall be observed:

Animal: Living creature, domestic or non-domestic, but does not include humans and does not include invertebrates.

Animal control officer: The person or person(s) employed by the Onslow County Animal Services Division as its enforcement officer(s) in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at large, and as otherwise provided or required by this chapter.

Animal cruelty investigator: The person(s) appointed by the Onslow County Board of Commissioners to investigate reports of animal cruelty or abuse pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 19A of the North Carolina General Statutes. Animal cruelty investigator(s) shall attend and satisfactorily complete an Animal Cruelty Investigator course or have experience in animal cruelty investigations.

Animal services director: The officer or employee in charge of animal services division. In Onslow County the animal services director shall report to the county manager or his designee.

Animal services division: Means the Onslow County Animal Services Division.

Animal shelter: The animal shelter operated and maintained by Onslow County for the purpose of impounding animals under the authority of the chapter or the General Statutes of North Carolina for the care, confinement, return to owner, adoption, or humane euthanasia. (G.S. 153A-442)

Breeder kennel: One who breeds more then one breed of animals(s), where by the animals are breed for sale and or profit.

Cat: A domestic or feral feline of either sex.

Dog: A domestic canine of either sex.

Enclosure: Pen, paddock, stall, stable, or pasture with properly hung and marked fence.

Equine: Horse, mule, donkey, and pony.

Harboring of animal: An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered seven days or more, unless the animal is being boarded for a fee.

Hazard: Any object above or below ground natural or artificial that could cause harm or injury to the animal.

Hunter Kennel: Dog must be used only for the purpose of hunting.

Impounded: Any animal which is received into custody by the Onslow County Animal Shelter.

Incorporated area: This term shall apply to the area within the corporate limits of any town or municipality within Onslow County if the governing body of such town or municipality adopts a resolution indicating that it is to be treated as an incorporated area under this chapter.

Keeper: Any person, acting in the capacity of the owner, or at the owner's request, who is responsible for the care, welfare, and maintenance of the animal.

Neutered Male: Any male dog or cat which has been rendered sterile by a surgical procedure.

Owner: Any person, group of persons, firm, partnership, corporation, organization, or association owning, keeping, having charge of, sheltering, feeding, harboring, or boarded any animal for a fee. The owner is responsible for the care, actions and behavior of his animal(s).

Pet kennel: Rescue groups with 501(c)(3) status, someone who fosters animals for a rescue group.

Puppymill: An individual or group of individuals that sell or trade to the general public, puppies and dogs of various breeds from a accumulated stock. The characteristics of a puppy mill are unsanitary conditions, and/or poor quality or quantity of food, and/or minimal veterinary care, and/or overcrowded condition. The intent of a puppy mill is to make a profit with little regard to the welfare of the animals in their custody.

Spayed female: A female dog or cat which has been rendered sterile by a surgical procedure.

Stray: Any domestic animal that is not under restraint or is not on the property of its owner and is wandering at large, or is lost, or does not have an owner, or does not bear evidence of the identification of any owner.

Vaccination: The administration of rabies vaccine as required by State Law.

Wild animal: Any animal which can normally be found in the wild state, particularly those feral, exotic, dangerous or non-domestic animals which generally do not live in or about the habitation of humans, including, but not limited to, deer, lions, monkeys, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, tigers and snakes.

(Ord. of 2-21-11)