§ 130A-184 — Definitions

The following definitions apply in this Part:
(1) Animal Control Officer. - A city or county employee whose responsibility includes animal control. The term "Animal Control Officer" also includes agents of a private organization that is operating an animal shelter under contract with a city or county whenever those agents are performing animal control functions at the shelter.
(2) Cat. - A domestic feline of the genus and species Felis catus.
(3) Certified rabies vaccinator. - A person appointed and certified to administer rabies vaccine to animals in accordance with this Part.
(4) Dog. - A domestic canine of the genus, species, and subspecies Canis lupus familiaris.
(4a) Feral. - An animal that is not socialized.
(4b) Ferret. - A domestic mammal of the genus, species, and subspecies Mustela putorius furo.
(5) Rabies vaccine. - An animal rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and approved for use in this State by the Commission.
(6) State Public Heath Veterinarian. - A person appointed by the Secretary to direct the State public health veterinary program.
(6a) Stray. - An animal that meets both of the following conditions:
a. Is beyond the limits of confinement or lost.
b. Is not wearing any tags, microchips, tattoos, or other methods of identification.
(7) Vaccination. - The administration of rabies vaccine by a person authorized to administer it under G.S. 130A-185. (1935, c. 122, s. 1; 1949, c. 645, s. 1; 1953, c. 876, s. 1; 1957, c. 1357, s. 3; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 2009-304, s. 2; 2009-327, s. 1.)