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1 ~98 <br />Te#luering Committee Report <br />July 3l?a`, 2007 <br />adoption of tethering ordinances. In addition, the ordinances had several positive impacts, for <br />instance, reducing the number of animal crnetty complaints and incidents of dog bities. <br />Ia terms of enforcement, these Noath Carolina officials reported that sa~sstul impleion <br />ieq~rired a reasonable pbaso-in period that allowed for adegnate public won and ouheach and <br />sufficient time liA dog owners to change from a tether to other methods of confinement It is oa the <br />basis of their experience that the Committee is rECOmmeading as 18-month phase-in period as both <br />reasonable end adequate for accomplishing these goals. . <br />Also, officials from New Hanover Cotmty and the Town of Laurinlnng is Scotland County both <br />reported that as outright ban ox severe restriction on aIlowable hours for triag was most <br />enforceable. In 2000, Laauinburg changed its ordinance to restrict terming from eight (8) horns to <br />one (1) hour, a change that improved enfoi~ment capability. Laurinberg's Animal Control Officer <br />reported a 90 percent compliance rate with the ordinance at this time, and reports ifia# the ability to <br />impound animals has been essential to the enforcement of this law: <br />The Committee believes that athree-twat limit on beduering is enforceable by Animal Control <br />Off cers in Uiange Cou~y, given their regular work houLS and tb,e operating hours of tl~e Animal <br />Control Division of the Animal Services Department. <br />Public Testimony <br />As previously noted, the Tethering Committee held pnblic input meetings is order to give the <br />citizens of the County an opport~mity to express their concerns and ideas. The first public input <br />meeting, on Apri123rd, 2007, was widely publicized and had approxmoately 25-30 people in - <br />ce. The following meeting of the Tethering Committee, ihongh not originally designed as <br />sack, became a second public input meeting, with approximately 20 citizens attending. <br />Much was Ieamed from the varied opinions and prefer at these `listening sessions." <br />Some individuals spoke against the practice of tethering on the grounds that it was not humane. <br />Others addressed public safely mud community welfare concerns. Yet others noted their belief that <br />12 <br />