ORD-2008-069 - Proposed Animal Ordinance Amendment on the Tethering of Dogs

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deprives them of necessary exercise and socialization; it subjects them to dangers of becoming entangled, preventing them from reaching food, shelter, or water and causing injuries such as strangulation, trachea damage from pulling, and the embedding of collars; it makes dogs vulnerable to attack from free - roaming dogs and wildlife. Numerous Orange County veterinarians have endorsed this tethering restriction. The next reason is over- population. Chained dogs contribute to the community's pet over - population problem. Dogs that are continuously tethered are frequently unsterilized and there is no barrier protecting chained female dogs from unwanted breeders. In fact, every chained female dog that the Coalition to Unchain Dogs has helped locally has had at least one and often multiple litters of puppies. The puppies end up in local shelters and cost taxpayers' money. Finally, this is an important tool for animal control. Seven North Carolina jurisdictions, including the counties of New Hanover and Scotland, report positive results from anti - tethering ordinances, including a decrease in the number of animal cruelty complaints and dog bite incidences. Nancy Garson- Anger read a letter on behalf of Jean McNeill, Animal Control Services Manager of New Hanover County. She said that the anti - tethering ordinance is too important an issue to be silenced in an atmosphere of intimidation. She encouraged the County Commissioners to move forward thoughtfully, compassionately, and not fearfully. "Dear County Commissioners, I am writing this letter in support of your county passing an anti - tethering ordinance for the protection of your community's companion animals. New Hanover County has had the privilege of such a law for many years, and our residents enjoy the safety it affords our pets. Animal cruelty is a serious matter, and we must do all we know to do to keep it from happening in whatever manner we are able. Many would argue that you should merely enforce the laws that you already have; however, in our experience, you cannot enforce what you do not have. The majority of offenders will not comply with suggestions, so adequate enforceable laws are necessary to cause compliance. Anti - tethering is a step in the right direction to enhance responsible pet ownership. Having a pet entails great responsibility, so we must be proactive in educating owners about the best care they can provide. We passed the ordinance many years ago, but did not write actual citations until quite some time after the law became effective. We issued warning notices, which gave the dog owner time to make corrections. This is not nearly as effective as simply writing the citation. In our experience, an owner will comply more rapidly, if there are consequences for failure to do so. We have the administrative ability to void a citation, if they correct the problem in a timely manner. Again, this would not be possible if no law was on the books to enforce. Our residents have responded favorably to having a means of preventing animal cruelty in at least one form. Prior to passing the ordinance, we saw many cases of dogs being left on short leads or ropes for many hours — or permanently — at the household. Many individuals lost their pets due to strangulation, heat stroke, and in some severe cases — the owner's intentional animal abuse of starvation. We had no means of preventing this abuse until the law was enforceable. The ordinance was challenged in April 2007. We had a group of Pit Bull owners, who desired to tether their dogs with heavy chains connected to tire axles. Fortunately, our advisory committee, board of health, and County Commissioners saw through these individuals and upheld the law. We are grateful. We are also in high hopes that you will also act as responsibly for your community pets as we have in New Hanover County. The majority of your residents are counting on you to do the right thing, despite the very vocal minority that opposes the law.