1997 - 05-19-97 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 0 BOOK 16 FACE S51 Section 2-3-14. Interference with Enforcement of Chapter it shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder or molest the Animal Control Program agents or officers or veterinarians in the performance of any duty authorized by this chapter, or to seek to release any animal in the custody of such agents, except as otherwise specifically provided. Section 2-3-15 Imposition of Penalties for Violation of Chapter (A) Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates any provision of this ordinance, shall be fined a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00). If the violation is continued, each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense. Payment of said penalties shall be made within seventy-two (72) hours. Civil penalties may be assessed by citation and recovered by Lee County in a civil action in the nature of a debt. (B) If any dangerous animal or dangerous dog shall, when unprovoked, attack, assault, wound, bite or otherwise injure or kill a human being, the owner shall pay a five hundred dollar($500.00) fine. If not paid after a ten (10) day waiting period exclusive of Sundays and holidays, said animal may be destroyed by the Animal Control Program. For each subsequent violation the owner shall pay a fifteen hundred dollar ($1,500.00) civil penalty for owning or keeping a dangerous animal which attacks, assaults, wounds, bites or otherwise injuries or kills a human being and said animal may be destroyed by the Animal Control Program. (C) If any dangerous animal or dangerous dog shall, when unprovoked, kill, wound, worry, or assist in wounding any domestic animal or pet, the owner of said dog shall pay a two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) civil penalty and the animal control program is empowered to confiscate and, after the expiration of a ten (10) day waiting period exclusive of Sundays and holidays, may destroy said dangerous dog or animal. For each subsequent violation the owner of said dog shall pay a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00). (D) Violation of this ordinance may subject the violator to criminal as well as civil action. In addition to the civil penalties or fees imposed under this ordinance, violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor for which a criminal summons may be issued. Any person convicted of such violation shall be punishable as provided in N.C.G.S. 14.4. Each day's violation of this section is a separate offense. Payment of a fine imposed in criminal proceedings pursuant to this subsection does not relieve a person of his liability for taxes, civil penalties or fees imposed under this ordinance. (E) In addition, enforcement of this ordinance may be by appropriate equitable remedy, injunction or order of abatement issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. 30