reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 19A-4 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 1 - Civil Remedy for Protection of Animals.|§ 19A-4 - Permanent injunction.

 19A-4. Permanent injunction.(a) In accordance with G.S. 1A-1, Rule 65, a district court judge in the county in which the original action was brought shall determine the merits of the action by trial without a jury, and upon hearing such evidence as may be presented, shall enter orders as the court deems appropriate, including a permanent injunction and dismissal of the action along with dissolution of any preliminary injunction that had been issued.(b) If the plaintiff prevails, the court in its discretion may include the costs of food, water, shelter, and care, including medical care, provided to the animal, less any amounts deposited by the defendant under G.S. 19A-70, as part of the costs allowed to the plaintiff under G.S. 6-18. In addition, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that even if a permanent injunction were issued there would exist a substantial risk that the animal would be subjected to further cruelty if returned to the possession of the defendant, the court may terminate the defendant's ownership and right of possession of the animal and transfer ownership and right of possession to the plaintiff or other appropriate successor owner. For good cause shown, the court may also enjoin the defendant from acquiring new animals for a specified period of time or limit the number of animals the defendant may own or possess during a specified period of time.(c) If the final judgment entitles the defendant to regain possession of the animal, the custodian shall return the animal, including taking any necessary steps to retrieve the animal from a foster care provider.(d) The court shall consider and may provide for custody and care of the animal until the time to appeal expires or all appeals have been exhausted. (1969, c. 831; 1971, c. 528, s. 10; 1979, c. 808, s. 4; 2003-208, s. 1; 2006-113, s. 1.2.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-10 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 2 - Protection of Black Bears.|§ 19A-10 - Unlawful to buy, sell or enclose (except as provided) black bear.

 19A-10. Unlawful to buy, sell or enclose (except as provided) black bear.Except as otherwise provided in applicable statutes, it shall be unlawful for any person to buy or sell black bears or for any person, firm or corporation to possess or keep any black bear (Ursus americanus ) in any enclosure, pen, cage, or other place or means of captivity except as hereinafter provided. (1975, c. 56, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-11 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 2 - Protection of Black Bears.|§ 19A-11 - Inapplicable to bona fide zoos, etc.

 19A-11. Inapplicable to bona fide zoos, etc.The provisions of this Article shall not apply to bona fide zoos which are operated by federal, State, or local governmental agencies, or to educational institutions in which black bears are kept or exhibited as part of a bona fide course of training or research in the natural sciences, or to black bears held without caging under conditions simulating a natural habitat, the development of which is in accord with plans and specifications developed by the holder and approved by the Wildlife Resources Commission. (1975, c. 56, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-12 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 2 - Protection of Black Bears.|§ 19A-12 - Possession of black bear on July 1, 1975; surrender of bear; modification of facilities; forfeiture.

 19A-12. Possession of black bear on July 1, 1975; surrender of bear; modification of facilities; forfeiture.Any person, firm or corporation in possession of a black bear on July 1, 1975, under an existing permit issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission, where the conditions under which such black bear is held are in violation of this Article, may immediately surrender such black bear and such permit to the Wildlife Resources Commission which shall compensate such person, firm or corporation in the amount actually paid for such bear not to exceed the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for any one bear. In lieu of surrendering such black bear and such permit, any such person, firm or corporation may give immediately written notice to the Wildlife Resources Commission that plans and specifications for facilities to hold such bear without caging under conditions simulating a natural habitat will be submitted to the Commission for approval within 30 days thereafter. In the event such plans and specifications are not submitted within the time thus limited, or they are disapproved by the Commission, or the facilities are not completed in accordance therewith within 60 days after approval by the Commission, continued possession of a black bear by such person, firm or corporation after any of such events shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this Article, and any such black bear shall be forfeited to the Wildlife Resources Commission without compensation. (1975, c. 56, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-13 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 2 - Protection of Black Bears.|§ 19A-13 - Violation of Article.

 19A-13. Violation of Article.Violation of the provisions of this Article shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1975, c. 56, s. 4; 1993, c. 539, s. 314; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-14 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 2 - Protection of Black Bears.|§ 19A-14 - Enforcement of Article.

 19A-14. Enforcement of Article.Law-enforcement officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission and all other peace officers are authorized and empowered to enforce the provisions of this Article. (1975, c. 56, s. 5.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-20 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-20 - Title of Article.

 19A-20. Title of Article.This Article may be cited as the Animal Welfare Act. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-21 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-21 - Purposes.

 19A-21. Purposes.The purposes of this Article are (i) to protect the owners of dogs and cats from the theft of such pets; (ii) to prevent the sale or use of stolen pets; (iii) to insure that animals, as items of commerce, are provided humane care and treatment by regulating the transportation, sale, purchase, housing, care, handling and treatment of such animals by persons or organizations engaged in transporting, buying, or selling them for such use; (iv) to insure that animals confined in pet shops, kennels, animal shelters and auction markets are provided humane care and treatment; (v) to prohibit the sale, trade or adoption of those animals which show physical signs of infection, communicable disease, or congenital abnormalities, unless veterinary care is assured subsequent to sale, trade or adoption. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-22 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-22 - Animal Welfare Section in Animal Health Division of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services created; Director.

 19A-22. Animal Welfare Section in Animal Health Division of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services created; Director.There is hereby created within the Animal Health Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a new section thereof, to be known as the Animal Welfare Section of said division.The Commissioner of Agriculture is hereby authorized to appoint a Director of said section whose duties and authority shall be determined by the Commissioner subject to the approval of the Board of Agriculture and subject to the provisions of this Article. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 3; 1997-261, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-25 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-25 - Employees; investigations; right of entry.

 19A-25. Employees; investigations; right of entry.For the enforcement of the provisions of this Article, the Director is authorized, subject to the approval of the Commissioner to appoint employees as are necessary in order to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Article, and to assign them interchangeably with other employees of the Animal Health Division. The Director shall cause the investigation of all reports of violations of the provisions of this Article, and the rules adopted pursuant to the provisions hereof; provided further, that if any person shall deny the Director or his representative admittance to his property, either person shall be entitled to secure from any superior court judge a court order granting such admittance. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 6; 1987, c. 827, s. 63.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-26 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-26 - Certificate of registration required for animal shelter.

 19A-26. Certificate of registration required for animal shelter.No person shall operate an animal shelter unless a certificate of registration for such animal shelter shall have been granted by the Director. Application for such certificate shall be made in the manner provided by the Director. No fee shall be required for such application or certificate. Certificates of registration shall be valid for a period of one year or until suspended or revoked and may be renewed for like periods upon application in the manner provided. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 7; 1987, c. 827, s. 64.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-27 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-27 - License required for operation of pet shop.

 19A-27. License required for operation of pet shop.No person shall operate a pet shop unless a license to operate such establishment shall have been granted by the Director. Application for such license shall be made in the manner provided by the Director. The license shall be for the fiscal year and the license fee shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each license period or part thereof beginning with the first day of the fiscal year.  (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 8; 1987, c. 827, s. 65; 1989, c. 544, s. 17; 2011-145, s. 31.5(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-28 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-28 - License required for public auction or boarding kennel.

 19A-28. License required for public auction or boarding kennel.No person shall operate a public auction or a boarding kennel unless a license to operate such establishment shall have been granted by the Director. Application for such license shall be made in the manner provided by the Director. The license period shall be the fiscal year and the license fee shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each license period or part thereof beginning with the first day of the fiscal year.  (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 9; 1987, c. 827, s. 65; 1989, c. 544, s. 18; 2011-145, s. 31.5(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-29 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-29 - License required for dealer.

 19A-29. License required for dealer.No person shall be a dealer unless a license to deal shall have been granted by the Director to such person. Application for such license shall be in the manner provided by the Director. The license period shall be the fiscal year and the license fee shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each license period or part thereof, beginning with the first day of the fiscal year.  (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 10; 1987, c. 827, s. 66; 1989, c. 544, s. 19; 2011-145, s. 31.5(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-31 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-31 - License not transferable; change in management, etc., of business or operation.

 19A-31. License not transferable; change in management, etc., of business or operation.A license is not transferable. When there is a transfer of ownership, management, or operation of a business of a licensee hereunder, the new owner, manager, or operator, as the case may be, whether it be an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity shall have 10 days from such sale or transfer to secure a new license from the Director to operate said business. A licensee shall promptly notify the Director of any change in the name, address, management, or substantial control of his business or operation. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 12.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-32 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-32 - Procedure for review of Director's decisions.

 19A-32. Procedure for review of Director's decisions.A denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate or license under this Article shall be made in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 13; 1987, c. 827, s. 68.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-33 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-33 - Penalty for operation of pet shop, kennel or auction without license.

 19A-33. Penalty for operation of pet shop, kennel or auction without license.Operation of a pet shop, kennel, or public auction without a currently valid license shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor subject only to a penalty of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), and each day of operation shall constitute a separate offense. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 14; 1993, c. 539, s. 315; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-34 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-34 - Penalty for acting as dealer without license; disposition of animals in custody of unlicensed dealer.

 19A-34. Penalty for acting as dealer without license; disposition of animals in custody of unlicensed dealer.Acting as a dealer in animals as defined in this Article without a currently valid dealer's license shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. Continued illegal operation after conviction shall constitute a separate offense. Animals found in possession or custody of an unlicensed dealer shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment and upon conviction of such unlicensed dealer shall become subject to sale or euthanasia in the discretion of the Director. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 15; 1993, c. 539, s. 316; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-35 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-35 - Penalty for failure to adequately care for animals; disposition of animals.

 19A-35. Penalty for failure to adequately care for animals; disposition of animals.Failure of any person licensed or registered under this Article to adequately house, feed, and water animals in his possession or custody shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor, and such person shall be subject to a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00) per animal or more than a total of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Such animals shall be subject to seizure and impoundment and upon conviction may be sold or euthanized at the discretion of the Director and such failure shall also constitute grounds for revocation of license after public hearing. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 16; 1999-408, s. 4.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-36 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-36 - Penalty for violation of Article by dog warden.

 19A-36. Penalty for violation of Article by dog warden.Violation of any provision of this Article which relates to the seizing, impoundment, and custody of an animal by a dog warden shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor and the person convicted thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), and each animal handled in violation shall constitute a separate offense. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 17; 1993, c. 539, s. 317; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-37 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-37 - Application of Article.

 19A-37. Application of Article.This Article shall not apply to a place or establishment which is operated under the immediate supervision of a duly licensed veterinarian as a hospital where animals are harbored, boarded, and cared for incidental to the treatment, prevention, or alleviation of disease processes during the routine practice of the profession of veterinary medicine. This Article shall not apply to any dealer, pet shop, public auction, commercial kennel or research facility during the period such dealer or research facility is in the possession of a valid license or registration granted by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 54, of the United States Code. This Article shall not apply to any individual who occasionally boards an animal on a noncommercial basis, although such individual may receive nominal sums to cover the cost of such boarding. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 18; 1987, c. 827, s. 69.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-38 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-38 - Use of license fees.

 19A-38. Use of license fees.All license fees collected shall be used in enforcing and administering this Article. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 19.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-39 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-39 - Article inapplicable to establishments for training hunting dogs.

 19A-39. Article inapplicable to establishments for training hunting dogs.Nothing in this Article shall apply to those kennels or establishments operated primarily for the purpose of boarding or training hunting dogs. (1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 21; 1979, c. 734, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-40 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-40 - Civil Penalties.

 19A-40. Civil Penalties.The Director may assess a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) against any person who violates a provision of this Article or any rule promulgated thereunder. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Director shall consider the degree and extent of harm caused by the violation. The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2. (1995, c. 516, s. 6; 1998-215, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-41 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 3 - Animal Welfare Act.|§ 19A-41 - Legal representation by the Attorney General.

 19A-41. Legal representation by the Attorney General.It shall be the duty of the Attorney General to represent the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or to designate some member of his staff to represent the Commissioner and the Department, in all actions or proceedings in connection with this Article. (2005-276, s. 11.5(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 19A-45 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 19A - Protection of Animals|Article 4 - Animal Cruelty Investigators.|§ 19A-45 - Appointment of animal cruelty investigators; term of office; removal; badge; oath; bond.

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