SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANIMAL SERVICES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Durham, N.C., June 29, 2012 – After months of planning and preparation, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office will officially take responsibility for animal services in Durham County July 1.
Animal Control was previously managed and operated by the county’s General Services division. As of July 1, it will be renamed "Sheriff’s Office Animal Services" and will be led by Capt. Will Oakley and Lt. Brendan Hartigan. The rest of the unit will consist of 10 animal services officers and three civilians.
Formerly, Animal Control officers maintained regular hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
As of July 1, Animal Services officers will be available to respond to calls from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, a deputy sheriff or on-call animal services officer will respond to animal-related emergencies.
The Durham County Animal Services office is located at 3005 Glenn Road and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
This office should be contacted for non-emergency purposes only at 919-560-0630. For emergency situations requiring the response of an animal services officer, please call the Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center at 919-560-0900.
AS ALWAYS, FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911!
The following types of calls are considered "
routine" and will be answered during normal operating hours:
Stray or at-large domestic dog: Animal services will respond to and investigate reports of stray or at-large domestic dogs. "Stray" or "at-large" is defined as any animal that is off the property of its owner and is not under restraint.
Dangerous dog: Animal services will respond to reports of dangerous dogs where a person or animal is believed to have been attacked.
Animal bite: Animal services will respond to reports of bites committed by dogs, cats or ferrets.
Injured animal: Animal services will respond to reports of injured domestic or wild animals.
Animal abuse: Animal services will respond to reports of animal cruelty that includes abandonment, abuse or neglect. Animal abuse also includes illegal tethering of dogs.
Nuisance domestic animal: Animal services will respond to reports of nuisance domestic animals. A nuisance animal is defined as:
1. One that gets into, or turns over, garbage containers.
2. Walks on, or sleeps on, automobiles.
3. Damages gardens, foliage or other property.
4. Frequently roams about or is continuously found on the property of another.
5. Is maintained in an unsanitary condition so as to be offensive in sight or smell.
6. Is not confined to a building or secure enclosure while "in heat."
7. Chases, snaps at, attacks, or otherwise harasses pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, or other domestic animals.
8. Frequently eliminates on private property without permission of the property owner.
9. Is a dangerous, or potentially dangerous, dog as determined by the Sheriff .
10. Is diseased or dangerous to the health of the public.
11. Is housed or restrained less than 15 feet from a public right of way and poses a threat the general safety, health, and/or welfare of the public.
The following types of situations are considered "
high priority" and will be answered after hours and during weekends by an on-call animal services officer and/or deputy sheriff:
Person being chased or attacked by an animal.
A "declared dangerous animal" on the loose.
Livestock obstructing traffic and causing an immediate hazard.
Any person or domestic animal that has been or is currently in danger of
rabies exposure.
Any animal in an immediate, life-threatening situation brought on by an attack or cruelty.
Any animal with an incapacitating or life-threatening injury.
Any calls for assistance made by an emergency services agency.
Any animal that is trapped or confined by a citizen or business.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. I have a question about
animal vaccinations or licensing, who do I call?
A. Please call Sheriff’s Office Animal Services at
919-560-0630 during normal business hours to inquire about vaccinations or other administrative questions. Animal licensing is managed by the Durham County Tax Office, which can be reached at: 919-560-0300.
Q. I have a problem with raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or other wild animals coming onto my property or into my yard, what do I do?
A. Animal Services generally does not respond to calls related to wild animals, except in the event of an emergency. Please contact the North Carolina Wildlife Commission or a private wildlife trapper for information about dealing with nuisance wild animals.
Q. I think a wild animal has taken up residence in my attic or walls, what do I do?
A. Animal Services will not respond to calls of this nature. Please contact a private pest removal contractor or wildlife trapper for assistance.
Q. I just discovered a raccoon, snake, or other wild animal
in my living room, what do I do?
A. Animal Services will respond to your residence if a wild animal is currently in a common living area (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.) of your home. Please call the Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center at 919-560-0900 for assistance.
Q. My neighbor’s dog barks non-stop at all hours of the day, what can I do?
A. If you live inside the city of Durham, please call Durham Police Department’s non-emergency at
919-560-4600. If you in an unincorporated area of Durham County, please call 919-560-0900.
