The Town of Atkinson

Please take the time to read the new pet ordinance for the Town of Atkinson.

                                                 PLEASE CALL PENDER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL FOR ANIMAL ISSUES.

Section 1.  Animals at Large.  Any dog or other animal other than stray dogs, that cause any damage to property or injury to person, the owner or custodian of such animal shall be notified by the Board of Aldermen that such animal has caused damage or injury and such owner or custodian shall thereafter such animal to be confined.  Failure of such owner or custodian to confine such animal after receiving notice from the Town Board shall be in violation of f this ordinance and such violation shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days in jail.  Each day that such owner or custodian shall fail to confine such animal after notice shall constitute a separate violation hereunder.

Section 2.  Prohibited Acts

All animals shall be kept and treated under sanitary and humane conditions and it shall be unlawful for any person to engae in one or more of the following acts:

(1) Failing to provide adequate feed, water and shelter or failing to maintain the animal in a clean and healthy environment.  |All animals, unless otherwise indicated in this chapter shall be given adequate feed, adequate water and adequate shelter.  Outdoor enclosures should be no smaller than 100 square feet in area for each dog weighing less than 20 pounds.  Each dog weighing 20 pounds or more should have an outdoor enclosure no9 smaller than 200 square feet in area.  Examples of shelter thta is nnot adequate include, but are not limited to the following:

a: Underneath houses, outdoor steps, decks or stoops, or underneath motor vehicles

b: Inside metal barrels or cardboard boxes

c: Shelters prone to flood

d: Shelters surrounded by debris, obstructions or impediments that may endanger an animal

e: Confinement of the animal in storage rooms, sheds or buildings without windows and proper ventilation

(2) Failing to keep an animal under sanitary and humane conditions which are not detrimental to the animal's health and welfare and which maintain a condition of good order and cleanliness and reduce the possibility of transmission of disease.

(3) Failing or refusing to provide adequate medical attention for any sick, diseased or injured animal.

(4) Engaging in animal cruelty; animal cruelty means every act, ommision, or act of neglect whereby unjustifiable pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted, or attempted to be caused or permitted against animals, and includes acts or attempted acts of beating, torturing, injuring, tormenting, mutilating, teasing, molesting baiting, or harrassing animals, the trapping of animals unlawfully and overworking or over driving animals.  This shall not include the lawful taking of animals under the jurisdiction and regulation of the wildlife resources commission, lawful activities of organizations or agencies conducting or sponsoring biomedical research or training, lawful activities for sport, the production of livestock or poultry, or the lawful destruction of any animal.

(5) Promoting, staging, holding, managing, conducting, carrying on or attending any game, exhibition, contest. fight or combat between one or more animals or between animals and humans, or intentionally allowing animals to engage in a fight.

(6) Permitting any exhibit, funtion or activity where animals are being cruelly treated or animals run the risk of causing injury to the public or themselves.  Animal control shall have the authority to inspect and to close down public exhibits of animals including those which are part of fairs, carnivals, festivals, fund raising events, petting zoos and any other activity or function carried out in the town if it is determined that animals are being cruelly treated or run the risk of causing injury to the public or themselves.

(7) Poisoning, or exposing a domestic animal to any known poisonous substance or mixing a poisonoous substance with food. so that it will likely be eaten by an animal.  This does not include attempts or acts of persons to lawfully rid their own property of mice or rats or other vermin, nor does it include other acts permitted by the North Carolina wildlife department.

(8) Allowing a collar, rope or chain to become embedded in or cause injury to an animals neck, or allowing a choke or pinch collar to be used as a primary collar on an unsupervised animal.

    a. Allowing an animal to be chained or tethered such that the animal is not confined to the owners property or such that the chain or tether can become entangled and prevent the animal from moving about freely, lying down comfortably or having access to adequate food, water and shelter.

(9) Carrying or causing to be carried in or upon the open area of a truck or other vehicle any animal that is not secured, in an animal carrier or by a harness or other device, such that the animal cannot fall, jump, or be thrown from the vehicle.

(10) Unless otherwise permitted by law, giving away or offering any animal as a prize, premium or advertising device for or as an indicement to enter any contest, game or other competition involving skill or chance.

(11)  Placing or confining an animal in a motor vehicle under such conditions or for such a period of time as to endanger the health or well being of such animal due to exposure of severe conditions such as heat.

Section 3: Inspections

Animal control officers shall have the authority to conduct inspections of pet shops, kennels, dealers, or breeders to the extent not preempted by state law, in order to determine if theere is any abuse of animals.  Pet shops, kennels, dealers and breeders are subject to the state laws concerning rabies control.  Abuse of animals shall include any act described in this section or any other act which is detrimental to the well being of the animal.  It shall be unlawful for any owner or employee of any pet shop or kennel or any dealers or breeders to violate these sections.

 Adequate care or care means the responsible practice of good animal husbandry, handling, production, management, confinement, feeding, watering, protection, shelter, transportation, treatment, and, when necessary, euthanasia, appropriate for the age, species, condition, size and type of the animal and the provision of veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or impairment of health.
 

Adequate exercise or exercise means the opportunity for the animal to move sufficiently to maintain normal muscle tone and mass for the age, species, size, and condition of the animal.

Adequate feed means access to and the provision of food that is of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to maintain each animal in good health; is accessible to each animal; is prepared so as to permit ease of consumption for the age, species, condition, size and type of each animal; is provided in a clean and sanitary manner; is placed so as to minimize contamination by excrement and pests; and is provided at suitable intervals for the species, age, and condition of the animal, but at least once daily, except as prescribed by a veterinarian or as dictated by naturally occurring states of hibernation or fasting normal for the species.

Adequate shelter means provision of and access to shelter that is suitable for the species, age, condition, size, and type of each animal; provides adequate space for each animal; is safe and protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, the adverse effects of heat or cold, physical suffering, and impairment of health; is properly cleaned; enables each animal to be clean and dry, except when detrimental to the species.

Adequate space means sufficient space to allow each animal to: (i) easily stand, sit, lie, turn about, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal; and (ii) interact safely with other animals in the enclosure. When freedom of movement would endanger the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the animal according to professionally accepted standards for the species is considered provision of adequate space.

The Town of Atkisnon is now set up for citizens to join the CODE RED EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. 

Please clink on the link below to join the system or stop by Town Hall.

This system will notify you by phone alert of emergency notifications in the Town and County.  It will also notify you of general notifications such as road closures and events.

Please let the Town Clerk know of any concerns with your water billing or meter. 

There is a Drop Box mounted beside the entrance to the Town Hall for water bill payments for the resident's convenience.  Cash payments must be made in the correct amount or the balance can be applied to your account.  No change is available in the office.

Notice:

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Trash pick up is early on Wednesday mornings.  The recycle is every other Wednesday.  If you need a new bin or have any problems with your service you may call the Town Hall 283-7341.  

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