The law enforcement officer making the arrest, with or without warrant, shall use reasonable diligence to give notice to the owner of the animals found in the charge or custody of the person arrested, if the person is not the owner, and shall care and provide properly for the animals. The law enforcement officer making the arrest shall have a lien on the animals for the expense of such care and provision unless the charge is dismissed or nol prossed or the person is found not guilty, then the lien is extinguished. The lien also may be extinguished by an agreement between the person charged and the prosecuting agency or the law enforcement agency in custody of the animal. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an animal may be seized preceding an arrest and pursuant to Section 47-1-150.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-14; 1952 Code Section 6-14; 1942 Code Section 1598; 1932 Code Section 1598; Cr. C. '22 Section 562; Cr. C. '12 Section 913; Cr. C. '02 Section 628; G. S. 1706; R. S. 510; 1881 (17) 574; 1998 Act No. 367, Section 6, eff May 27, 1998; 2014 Act No. 251 (H.3361), Section 5, eff June 6, 2014.