Animal Control

Animal Control Objectives

• Enforce state, federal, and local animal-related laws
• Reduce the number of unwanted animals in the community by enforcement of county and state laws and setting of humane traps
• Provide effective Animal Control services to protect the public from roaming/vicious animals and diseases spread by same
• Provide temporary shelter for stray and unwanted animals, maintain vigorous program to reunite stray pets with owners and work along with local humane groups
• Comply with state and national laws and guidelines when euthanasia is necessary
• Hire and train a staff of caring professionals to carry out the goal and objectives

Rabies Control

Rabies is a deadly disease that has no cure. It can attack animals anywhere in the world. In Halifax County rabies is on the rise. People are at risk for exposure if their domestic pets have come in contact with a rabid animal. Precautions people can take to reduce their exposure are to:

• Keep your pet vaccinated against rabies
• Not allowing your pet to roam free
• Avoid contact with wildlife

Every owner or keeper of a dog or cat over four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies pursuant to G.S. 130A-185. Each year local veterinarians and Halifax County Animal Control conduct low cost rabies vaccination clinics. Please check with your veterinarian or the Animal Shelter about a clinic in your area.

Stray Animals

Animal Control Officers will pick up stray dogs and cats on public property or on private property when reported. If the animal has tags, every reasonable effort is made to contact the owner to come and pick up the animal at the shelter. It is Halifax County policy that the animal is to be held at the shelter for a minimum of one week. If the owner is not located, the pet is offered for adoption or put to sleep.

There is no leash law in Halifax County. Local municipalities may have stricter laws. Any animal running loose must not be a nuisance, and must have a current rabies tag attached to the collar. ID tags help locate owners. In some cases, wanted pets have been destroyed at the shelter because the owner was identified too late. Spay and neutering your pet also helps control the stray population. Please check with a veterinarian about these procedures.

Dangerous Dogs

Senate Bill 1994 became law on October 1, 1990. The Dangerous Dog Law requires the owner of a dangerous dog to take precautions against attacks by such dogs. It imposes criminal penalties and civil liabilities upon the owner of a dangerous dog which attacks and causes serious bodily injury to a person. The owner of a dangerous dog that attacks a person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both.

If an individual is bitten by a dog, no matter how minor the bite seems, go to the Emergency Room. Animal bites can be very dangerous. The hospital will contact the Animal Control or law enforcement for you.