§ 4-3. Duties of animal control officer.

(a)

The animal control officer shall be responsible for the enforcement within respective jurisdictions of all state and local laws pertaining to the ownership and control of animals and shall cooperate with all other law enforcement officers operating within their jurisdiction in fulfilling this responsibility.

(b)

The animal control officer shall also serve as rabies control officer. He will implement and enforce the provisions of the state rabies law, including but not limited to the following activities:

(1)

Collect and impound stray animals.

(2)

Canvass area of the county for vaccination of dog/cats. (G.S. 130A-192)

(3)

Assist practicing veterinarians in the county in conducting rabies clinics. (G.S. 130A-187)

(4)

Maintain the animal shelter, including records of impounded, destroyed, reclaimed and adopted animals. (G.S. 130A-192)

(5)

Provide at the end of each day, upon request, a list containing complete descriptions of all animals impounded.

(6)

Upon request of the county health director, investigate reports of animal bites to determine whether, based on the findings, confinement or isolation of the animal is required for the minimum of ten days of observation. (G.S. 130A-196)

(7)

Upon request of the county animal cruelty investigator, assist in investigating reports of animal cruelty or abuse. (Ref: G.S. 19A-45)

(8)

Animal control officers shall not be authorized to carry on their person any firearms of any kind unless otherwise authorized by the animal services director. Animal control officers may store at the animal shelter or carry in departmental vehicles firearms approved for use and use such firearms when necessary to enforce sections of this chapter or under applicable laws for the control of wild, dangerous, vicious or diseased animals.

(Ord. of 2-21-11)