§ 19A-45. Appointment of animal cruelty investigators; term of office; removal; badge; oath; bond.
Article4.
Animal CrueltyInvestigators.
§ 19A‑45. Appointmentof animal cruelty investigators; term of office; removal; badge; oath; bond.
(a) The board of countycommissioners is authorized to appoint one or more animal cruelty investigatorsto serve without any compensation or other employee benefits in his county. Inmaking these appointments, the board may consider persons nominated by anysociety incorporated under North Carolina law for the prevention of cruelty toanimals. Prior to making any such appointment, the board of countycommissioners is authorized to enter into an agreement whereby any necessaryexpenses of caring for seized animals not collectable pursuant to G.S. 19A‑47may be paid by the animal cruelty investigator or by any society incorporatedunder North Carolina law for the prevention of cruelty to animals that iswilling to bear such expense.
(b) Animal crueltyinvestigators shall serve a one‑year term subject to removal for cause bythe board of county commissioners. Animal cruelty investigators shall, while inthe performance of their official duties, wear in plain view a badge of adesign approved by the board identifying them as animal cruelty investigators,and provided at no cost to the county.
(c) Animal crueltyinvestigators shall take and subscribe the oath of office required of publicofficials. The oath shall be filed with the clerk of superior court. Animalcruelty investigators shall not be required to post any bond.
(d) Upon approval bythe board of county commissioners, the animal cruelty investigator orinvestigators may be reimbursed for all necessary and actual expenses, to bepaid by the county. (1979, c. 808, s. 1.)