• 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 and/or the Sheriff’s designee.
  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.

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.

Sheriff’s Office 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.

Durham County Animal Services will not respond to calls of this nature. Please contact a private pest removal contractor or wildlife trapper for assistance.

Durham Sheriff’s Office 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.