In unincorporated Buncombe County, dogs and other animals must stay on the owner's premises. Off the property, an animal must be under the control of a competent person by a chain, leash, harness, or other physical control (Sec. 6-76). Loose animals may be impounded.
Chapter 6, Sec. 6-76 (Restraint of animals) governs the unincorporated county and municipalities that opted in; inside Asheville and other towns the city's own code applies (Sec. 6-27). Every owner must keep the animal exclusively on the premises unless it is under a competent person's control by chain, leash, or harness. Service dogs assisting people with disabilities need not be physically restrained if under the handler's direct control. Any animal found at large in violation of Sec. 6-76 is subject to immediate seizure and impoundment at the county animal shelter (Sec. 6-78). Buncombe County Animal Services enforces the ordinance.
Animal at large is a Level I civil penalty (Sec. 6-106): $50 first offense, $75 second, $100 third and each additional. An animal that 'frequently is at large' is a Level II violation. Loose animals are impounded; redemption requires paying
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