Any animal to human bite that breaks the skin must be reported to the Animal Services Officer and Health Director. All such dogs and cats will be securely quarantined at the direction of the responding Animal Service Officer, for a period of ten days, and not released from the quarantine except by written permission from the Animal Services Officer and/or County Health Director. Animal bites that are treated at a medical facility are automatically reported either to the Animal Services Department or the Health Department. Animals may be quarantined at the owner’s home, veterinarian’s office, or at the shelter depending upon vaccination history and circumstances of the bite.

Animal bites and/or attacks that occur after hours may be reported to Animal Services by contacting the Haywood County Emergency Operations at 828-452-6600. An on-call Animal Services Officer is available after hours for emergency situations. For further information, contact the Animal Services Office at 828-456-5338.

It is unlawful for any owner to permit animals to run at large. All animals must be under restraint by means of chain, leash or other like device, sufficiently near the owner or handler to be under his or her direct control, on or within a vehicle being driven or parked, within a secure enclosure such as a fence, or within the property limits of the owner or keeper. Animals allowed to run loose and create a public nuisance should be reported to the Animal Services Department at 828-456-5338. An Animal Services Officer will investigate the complaint. To file a complaint, the Animal Services Officer will need a detailed description of the animal(s), owner information, and property location.

To read our full ordinances, please click here.