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We agree with the Tethering Committee's findings that: - Prolonged tethering deprives dogs of necessary exercise and socialization; - Tethered dogs can and do contribute to various community nuisance issues such as barking and pet overpopulation; - Tethered dogs can and do pose a risk to public safety and health because they may become aggressive and they are not confined behind a barrier. In addition, as veterinarians, we believe that chained dogs are subjected to a variety of dangers, including trachea damage from pulling on the chain; embedded collars; and injuries sustained in attacks from free-roaming dogs. There are many alternatives to chaining available, including adequately-sized pens, fences, and simply keeping dogs inside and walking them several times a day. By voting in favor of this amendment, the BOCC will be taking a positive step toward protecting the public and improving the treatment of dogs in our community. We urge you to do so without delay. Sincerely, Soren Windram, DVM, New Hope Animal Hospital Kay Bishop, DVM, New Hope Animal Hospital Ken Redmond, Vine Veterinary Hospital Kathy Crabtree, DVM, Carver Street Veterinary Hospital Pat Pagel, DVM, Cole Park Veterinary Hospital Michelle Droke, DVM, Cole Park Veterinary Hospital Deborah Stein, DVM, Cole Park Veterinary Hospital Megan Harris, DVM, Cole Park Veterinary Hospital Marjorie Lindeke, DVM, St. Francis Veterinary Hospital" Timmy Frazier said that he has tried to make all of these meetings and has tried to talk to people in the community, especially those in the northern part of the County. He said that he is a responsible dog owner, and he believes that tethering is okay if the owner takes care of his/her dogs and tethers in a humane way. He thinks that the problem in Orange County is the dog breed. He said that when the County Commissioners force something like this amendment down their throats, it makes the citizens mad. Susan Kelly is against the tethering amendment. She agreed with Commissioner Carey and they all want to do the right thing for the animals. For some, she thinks that it could be tethering. Stillman Wright was born and raised in Chapel Hill. He said that he has tethered champion dogs and his dogs are not mistreated. He showed pictures of his dogs. His dogs are kept on ten-foot chains, which give them 365 square feet. He said that he is a responsible dog owner. He also showed a picture of an American Pit Bull Terrier that got out of a fence. Josh Chapman was born and raised in Orange County. He read from an article from the News and Observer. "Barbara Sherman, a Clinical Associate Professor at N. C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine, said `method of animal confinement should not be blamed for neglect. You can abuse those same dogs by putting them in tiny pens. We really need to examine the welfare of each dog.- He asked those that live in Orange County and that have dogs that live on chains to raise their hands. He said that most people who raised their hands are from Orange County. He said that most of the people that are pushing this are