§ 14-5. Animal control officer.

(a)

The governing authority shall either (1) appoint, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-8-22, one or more animal control officers to aid in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governing authority, and whose compensation shall be established from time to time by the governing authority; or (2) may delegate responsibility for animal control to the Union County Sheriff's Office which shall then appoint, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-8-22, one or more animal control officers to aid in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, and whose compensation shall be established from time to time by the Union County Sheriff. A person carrying out the duties of animal control officer shall not be authorized to make arrests unless the person is a law enforcement officer having the powers of arrest.

(b)

Any county or municipality or any combination of such local governments may enter into agreements with each other for the consolidation of dog control services under this Code section.

(c)

The primary responsibility for enforcement of this chapter and all related state laws shall be vested in the animal control officer who may call upon such other officers or employees of any law enforcement agency as may be necessary for the enforcement of this chapter. The animal control officer or other Union County official, at his or her option may refer livestock complaints to any other appropriate agency.

(d)

The animal control officer shall be authorized to make whatever inquiry or investigation is deemed necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(e)

The animal control officer is authorized to make canvasses of the county, including homes and businesses, as it deems necessary for the purpose of ascertaining that all animals of proper age are vaccinated against rabies with a current vaccination, and that all dogs are properly tagged.

(f)

All law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction of the governing authority and within any jurisdictions which have cooperative agreements with Union County shall cooperate with the animal control officer in enforcing the provisions of this chapter.

(g)

It shall be a violation of this chapter, for any person to interfere with the animal control officer in the performance of his duties.

(Ord. of 9-18-2014(2))