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The Board considered adopting on second reading the proposed amendment to the <br />Orange County Animal Ordinance restricting the tethering of dogs. <br />Animal Services Director Bob Marotto introduced this item. He summarized the <br />ordinance. The timetable for the proposed ordinance is the same, with public outreach for one <br />year and for the next six months only oral warnings would be issued. The staff will come back <br />on December 11th with a more developed plan for public relations and a plan of evaluation. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Amanda Stipe read a statement from the Durham Kennel Club. <br />Orange County Commissioners; <br />Comprised of over 250 members, more than 40 which live in Orange County, the <br />Durham Kennel Club (DKC) has been promoting the care and welfare of North Carolina's dogs <br />for over 39 years. Through owner education and community involvement, the DKC has striven <br />for the betterment of all dogs, regardless of their background. The DKS officially opposes <br />legislation limiting the rights of responsible dog owners to keep dogs in a humane manner, <br />including anti - tether legislation. Where there are already laws in place dealing with neglect <br />and animal cruelty, there is no need for further legislation to address the same issues. <br />The Orange County Animal Cruelty ordinance currently in place states: <br />All animals in Orange County are required to have the following: <br />- Adequate food - animals should be fed with foodstuff that is nutritious and suitable <br />for the species and age group. Such foodstuff shall be provided at least every 24 <br />hours and served in a clean receptacle, dish, or container that is free of <br />contaminants that maybe injurious to the health of the animal. <br />- Adequate water- animals must receive constant access to a supply of clean, fresh <br />water provided in a sanitary manner. <br />- Adequate shelter- non - aquatic animals shall be provided shelter which will keep <br />them dry, out of the direct path of winds and the sun, and at a temperature level <br />that is healthful for the animal. The animal containment area shall be free of <br />accumulated waste and debris so that the animal can walk or lie down without <br />coming in contact with any such waste or debris, and a suitable method of draining <br />shall be provided to eliminate rapidly excess water or moisture. <br />- Aquatic animals shall be an adequate amount of clean water in which to move. <br />http: / /www.co. orange. nc. us /animalservices /occruelty.asp <br />Considering that it is entirely possible, indeed easy, to tether a dog while meeting all of <br />the stated requirements above, it is contradictory to define tethering in and of itself an act of <br />cruelty punishable by law. Dogs tethered in a manner inconsistent with existing laws are <br />already protected under said laws. We support the cruelty laws as they stand now and fully <br />condone continued efforts to enforce them against those that choose not to comply. Those <br />dog owners who keep their dogs responsibly on tethers, meeting all the requirements of the <br />law, should not be penalized for the negligent actions of those who choose not to abide by the <br />law. <br />Every "Issue" broached in the proposed anti - tether legislation is already addressed by <br />the current animal cruelty laws: adequate shelter, veterinary care, food and water, waste <br />