9-499.04. Animal control officers; appointment; authority; powers and duties

A. Any city and town may by ordinance provide for the appointment of animal control officers who may commence an action or proceeding before a court for any violation of a state statute or local ordinance relating to rabies and animal control which occurs within the jurisdiction of the city or town.

B. An animal control officer appointed pursuant to subsection A shall:

1. Be unarmed during the course of duties except that a small caliber firearm may be available to be used in controlling vicious animals or in dispatching of a wounded animal. In this paragraph "small caliber firearm" means a rifle or pistol utilizing a rimfire cartridge with a caliber not to exceed twenty-two hundredths of an inch and with a non-richocheting bullet or a shotgun whose bore size shall not exceed forty-one hundredths of an inch.

2. Be an employee of the appointing city or town.

C. This section shall not be construed to grant other powers or benefits to animal control officers to which peace officers of this state are entitled.

9-499.04. Animal control officers; appointment; authority; powers and duties

A. Any city and town may by ordinance provide for the appointment of animal control officers who may commence an action or proceeding before a court for any violation of a state statute or local ordinance relating to rabies and animal control which occurs within the jurisdiction of the city or town.

B. An animal control officer appointed pursuant to subsection A shall:

1. Be unarmed during the course of duties except that a small caliber firearm may be available to be used in controlling vicious animals or in dispatching of a wounded animal. In this paragraph "small caliber firearm" means a rifle or pistol utilizing a rimfire cartridge with a caliber not to exceed twenty-two hundredths of an inch and with a non-richocheting bullet or a shotgun whose bore size shall not exceed forty-one hundredths of an inch.

2. Be an employee of the appointing city or town.

C. This section shall not be construed to grant other powers or benefits to animal control officers to which peace officers of this state are entitled.