Laurinburg, North Carolina

Sec. 4-19. Restraint of dogs.

(a) When a dog is on the property of its owner or keeper and is not within a secure enclosure, it shall be under the direct control of, and obedient to, the owner or keeper. At all other times when a dog is on the property of its owner or keeper, it shall be kept within a secure enclosure, including a fenced in area or electronic fence, house or other building, of sufficient strength and height to prevent the dog from escaping from such enclosure, provided that the owner or keeper may, for a period not to exceed one hour every 24 hours, allow the dog to be tethered or chained to a stationary object or pole as long as the dog is provided with sufficient water and nourishment. All dogs off of the property of its owner or keeper shall be controlled by means of a leash and under the direct control of, and obedient to, the owner’s or keeper’s command.

(b) Noncompliance with any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section may result in the impoundment of the animal at any time, or may result in a fine of $100.00, or both. With respect to any dog found in violation of subsection (a) of this section for a second time, animal control shall have the authority to require that the owner thereof have the dog spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 20 days. All costs of such spaying or neutering shall be the responsibility of the owner. Failure to comply with any directive to have the dog spayed or neutered shall result in and additional civil penalty of $100.00.

(c) Dogs utilized by law enforcement officers in the course of law enforcement activities are exempt from this section.