§ 10-20. Definitions.

(a)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandon means to cease providing for the care, control or maintenance of an animal without the transfer of ownership of such animal.

Animal control department means the Cumberland County animal control department.

Animal control director means the director of the animal control department or his designee.

Animal control officer means a person employed by the animal control department as its enforcement officer in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at-large, and as otherwise provided or required in this article.

Animal control officer—town means a person employed by the town police department as its enforcement officer in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at-large, and as otherwise provided or required in this article. The term "animal control officer" as used in this article refers to both county and town officers and may be used interchangeably with "animal control officer—town."

Animal shelter or department's shelter means the premises operated by the animal control department for the purposes of impounding, sheltering or caring for animals or any other premises operated by another entity with which the county contracts for such purposes.

At-large or running at-large means any animal which is not confined on the property of its owner, the leased premises of the animal's owner, or under the actual physical control of a competent person, other than a licensed, currently privilege tax paid, hunting dog under supervision while engaged in a lawful actual or simulated hunt.

Breeding, show, or hunting dog means any animal that was used in breeding, showing, or hunting in the last year if over one year old; or any animal younger than one year that is eligible to breed, show or hunt in the coming year.

Chapter means the provisions of this animal control chapter as may be in effect in the county or any municipal jurisdiction located therein.

Confinement means to secure an animal in a locked house, run, enclosure or fenced yard within the boundaries of the owner's, leaseholder's, or keeper's property (i.e., house, fenced yard).

County means the County of Cumberland, North Carolina.

County manager means the duly appointed county manager or his designee.

Cruelty means to endanger by any act of omission or commission the life, health or safety of an animal.

Director means the director of the animal control department.

Exposed to rabies means any animal that has been bitten by or exposed in a manner proven to be able to transmit rabies, to any other animal known to have been infected with rabies or any other animal reasonably suspected of being infected with rabies that is not available for laboratory diagnosis.

Fee schedule means any schedule of fees related to the administration of this article which may be adopted by the board of commissioners.

Fowl means chickens, guineas, geese, ducks, pigeons, and other avian animals.

Harboring means regularly feeding, sheltering or caring for an animal.

Impoundment means placing an animal in an animal control vehicle or unit, or holding an animal at the animal shelter, or holding an animal at any other location at the direction of the director of animal control.

Keeper means 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.

Livestock includes, but is not limited to, equine animals, bovine animals, sheep, goats, llamas and swine.

Maintain means to own, house, care for, harbor, possess or otherwise have custody of an animal.

Neuter means to render a male dog or cat unable to reproduce.

Nuisance/reckless owner means an owner who has received a violation under this article and has outstanding fees owed to the county animal control for previous violations or who has not complied with the requirements for ownership of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.

Owner means anyone taking care of or having custody of an animal, such as by providing food, water, shelter or medical care, but shall not include taking care or having custody of the animal for compensation.

Permit means a permit issued by the animal control department or similar agency or any applicable governmental unit having jurisdiction.

Police means the town police department.

Police chief means the chief of the town police department.

Potentially dangerous dog and dangerous dog shall have the meanings set forth in section 10-80.

Restraint means that an animal is actually physically controlled by leash or tether held by a competent person or within any vehicle, trailer or other conveyance being driven, pulled or parked on the street or confined within the property limits of its owner or keeper.

Run means an area used to confine a dog of a size that complies with any of the requirements of this article.

Sanitary means a condition of good odor and cleanliness, which precludes the probability of disease transmission and insect breeding and which preserves the health of the public.

Spay means to remove the ovaries of a female dog or cat in order to render the animal unable to reproduce.

State law means the General Statutes of North Carolina.

Stray means any animal reasonably presumed not to have any owner, including, but not limited to, an animal running at-large or not under restraint.

Tethered or tethering means attaching an animal to a stationary object by means of a chain, cable, rope or similar device.

Town means the Town of Hope Mills, North Carolina.

Town manager means the duly appointed manager of the town, or his designee.

Transfer means to convey or change ownership from one person to another with or without the exchange of money or other consideration.

Vaccination means an injection of United States Department of Agriculture-approved rabies vaccine administered by a licensed veterinarian or certified rabies vaccinator as defined in G.S. 130A-186.

(b)

All other words or phrases used herein shall be defined and interpreted according to their common usage.

(Ord. of 3-11-2015, § 10-10)