Minutes - 19870526 - Laserfiche WebLink

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He identified several of the major changes in the Ordinance: 1. Animal Control Director - it is recommended that the animal control program for Orange County be placed under an animal control director who has a background and training in animal _.,...~ control issues. 2. Domesticated Livestock - the Ordinance addresses some of the concerns expressed by the cattlemen in the County. 3. .Licensing and Registration - a differential licensing fee schedule is recommended in the Ordinance. 4. Control of animals - the Ordinance encourages throughout responsible pet ownership. 5. Restraint of animals - standards for the length of a leash and standards for insuring the proper humane treatment of animals is included in the Ordinance. 6. Steel Leghold Traps -the Ordinance bans the use of steel jaw traps but does provide for ~a permit under certain circumstances. Concerns about humans and pet animals being caught in the traps were addressed. 7. Standards are set out in the Ordinance for various classes of institutes which house animals. 8. Penalties for violators of the Ordinance are .listed. The Animal Control Officer will. be given some responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Ordinance. In answer to a question from Planning Board Member Chris Best, Mr. Ingram clarified that the ordinance sets out standards for the resale of animals and does not address the problem of dognaping. Planning Board member Peter Kramer asked if there is a provision for.~~=, the compensation of livestock if killed. Mr. Ingram reported there is a provision in the State Statutes which states that the owner of livestock whose stock is damaged by another animal can through civil action file for'` compensation. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPEN FOR CITIZEN'S COMMENTS WAYNE WIGGINS spoke in opposition to the Ordinance stating there is na need for the ordinance in the County and ask that the Ordinance be put to a vote of the people. EMILY WEINSTE2N spoke in support of the ban of the leghold trap stating that it is cruel and should be banned throughout the world. It causes extreme pain for the wild animals and also for domestic .animals. It is barbaric and should be banned. BILL BREEZE made reference to Section 4 and expressed opposition to this section. He stated that Section 11 which requires dogs to be tied in the back of pickup trucks is not necessary. If a dog is restrained he will try to get lose and get hurt. This restriction should not be placed on the citizens of Orange County. The impact of this section needs to be reviewed. He stated he lost several thousand dollars worth of timber because of the beavers. The fox population has increased over the years. He uses traps and stated they do not hurt animals if the traps are monitored regularly. The Ordinance is a good start but the impact needs to be determined before approval. GILBERT PETTY spoke in opposition of the ban of the leghold traps. He spoke about depredation of livestock and the overpopulation of racoons, muskrats, and the beavers. The beavers dam up the water and flood the