{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-17f-21","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 17F-21","heading":"Disposition of retired service animals.","body":"(a)\tUpon determination that any service animal is no longer fit or needed for public service, the State or unit of local government may transfer ownership of the animal at a price determined by the State or unit of local government and upon any other terms and conditions as the State or unit of local government deems appropriate, to any of the following individuals, if that individual agrees to accept ownership, care, and custody of the service animal:\n(1)\tThe officer or employee who had normal custody and control of the service animal during the service animal's public service to the State or unit of local government.\n(2)\tA surviving spouse or, if unsurvived by a spouse, surviving children of the officer or employee killed in the line of duty who had normal custody and control of the service animal during the service animal's public service to the State or unit of local government.\n(3)\tAn organization or program dedicated to the assistance or support of service animals retired from public service.\n(b)\tFor purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:\n(1)\tService animal. - Any horse, dog, or other animal owned by the State or a unit of local government that performs law enforcement, public safety, or emergency service functions.\n(2)\tUnit of local government. - As defined in G.S. 159-7(b). (2016-101, s. 1; recodified from N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-187.4 by 2023-46, s. 5.)","path":["Chapter 17F. Law Enforcement."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_17F/GS_17F-21.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:57:32Z","sha256":"a06e36a01b0454fec3c6760c3293b3e6e8e5aa2def165e7052e16890e8845f51","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-17f-20","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-18-1-through-18-152"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}