N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-307.7: Diseased livestock running at large.

Whenever the State Veterinarian is informed or reasonably believes that certain livestock is infected with or has been exposed to any contagious or infectious disease, that such livestock is running at large and that such livestock cannot be captured with the exercise of reasonable diligence, the State Veterinarian shall have authority to direct the appropriate sheriff or other proper officer to destroy such livestock in a reasonable manner and such sheriff or other officer shall make diligent effort to destroy such livestock. (1971, c. 676.)