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Mecklenburg County
Leash Laws
Leash
Laws - Mecklenburg County has a strict leash law that applies to
all animals except cats (see the nuisance animal section for laws pertaining
to cats). Animals must be on a leash, contained within a fence or an operable
and marked invisible fence. An animal may be loose in its own yard if there
is an adult (18 years or older) present with the animal and the animal responds
to direct verbal commands of the person. All regulations aim to protect
the health and safety of our citizens. Please be a responsible pet owner
and abide by the law. Violations will be investigated and stiff fines may
be applied. Fines range from a $50.00 citation for the first violation and
up to a $500.00 citation and permanent seizure of the animal for a fifth
violation. To report an animal at large, please call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Animal Control Bureau at (704) 336-3786.
Animal Bites - North Carolina state law requires that all
dogs, cats and ferrets which bite people are to be quarantined for ten days.
If the animal has a current rabies vaccination, this quarantine may take
place at home at the discretion of Animal Control. If the animal is not
currently vaccinated against rabies, then this quarantine must be done at
a veterinary hospital or the Animal Shelter. The purpose of this is to ensure
that the animal did not transmit the rabies virus to the bite victim. If
a wild animal bites or scratches a person and is apprehended, the animal
will be euthanized so that its brain may be tested for the presence of the
rabies virus. If the wild animal is positive or it cannot be caught, the
bite victim will be advised to take the post-exposure rabies shots. If a
wild animal bites a dog (or any domestic animal), the course of action depends
on the vaccination status of the dog. If the dog has current rabies shot,
the pet only needs to receive a booster vaccination. The wild animal will
not be tested for rabies unless there is also a human exposure. If the dog
is not currently vaccinated and the wild animal is apprehended, it will
be quarantined at the Animal Shelter until the rabies test results on the
wild animal come back. If the rabies test is negative, the dog may be reclaimed.
If the rabies test is positive or the wild animal was not caught, the dog
must be euthanized or quarantined for six months at the owner's expense.
This is just one reason why rabies vaccinations for your pet are so important.
Report animal bites to the Mint Hill Police – dial 911 or (704) 847-5555.
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