ORD-2001-015 Proposed Amendments to Ordinance Prohibiting the Keeping of Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property within OC

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PUBLIC COMMENTS Dr. Lauren Powers, an exotic pet veterinarian in Chapel Hill and a board member of the Orange County Animal Protection Society, stated the position of the Orange County APS. They are in support of the two ordinances banning the ownership of both wild and dangerous animals in Orange County. She said that there was some concern over the last few months from some of her clients and colleagues about whether this will affect ownership of exotic pets that are not necessarily wild or dangerous to people or property, including ferrets and iguanas. She said that it has been made clear to her that the ordinances should have no bearing on exotic pet ownership in Orange County. Emily Villanova made reference to Section 2, Keeping of Wild and Dangerous Animals Prohibited. She said that she was concerned that this was too broad. She asked if it included feeding squirrels and birds out of a bird feeder. She asked that the language be narrowed. Rosemary Summers said that this ordinance would only apply to animals that are wild and dangerous. County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill said that the term "wild and dangerous animal ' is defined in Section 2 and would not include birds. Sitha Bigger, manager of the Triangle Metro Zoo in Franklin County, said that the ownership of exotic animals, whether dangerous or not, is not necessarily a bad thing. She said that some dogs and cats are more dangerous than the animals on the list. She would also like to address the point that there are small businesses making a living by selling exotic animals and this ordinance would affect those businesses. Larry Seibel, owner of the Triangle Metro Zoo, said that he was an animal control officer in a large city in the Midwest for five years and he never came across a problem with exotic animals. He feels the definition of wild and dangerous is too broad because most wild animals are animals that are raised in captivity. The facilities are inspected without any notice to make sure the animal is well cared for and that the people are safe. He said that when he was an animal control officer, there were many dog bites and some farm animals were dangerous. He is opposed to this ordinance. Vaughn Compton, poultry farmer in northern Orange County, noted that if these rules are passed that he could not start an alligator farm. He said that this is a way that the farmers are recycling their dead chickens. He distributed some brochures and explained the recycling process. Robert Nichols asked if this ordinance includes snakes. He feels that it should include snakes if it does not. Rosemary Summers said that the ordinance does include snakes that are poisonous or crushing and greater than six feet long. Rosemary Summers said that she spoke to Vaughn Compton about the alligator farms and she thinks there should be some research into the kinds of things that chickens may transmit to alligators. Dari Conner said that she read somewhere that if the Commissioners see a reason to include more animals in the future, then they could be added. She asked if this would require another meeting or a vote. Rosemary Summers said that the ordinance speaks to this. She read from the ordinance as follows: "Additions to or deletions from the animals regulated herein may be made only if the Board determines; after receiving evidence that such animals, because of habit, mode of life, or natural instinct are either capable or incapable of being domesticated; requires the exercise of art, force, or skill to keep them safely in subjection; and would or would not create a reasonable likelihood of a hazard to the public." This would require Board approval and a public hearing. Melissa Lozoff said that she would not feel comfortable living next door to an alligator farm. Commissioner Carey said that he does support this ordinance. He is willing to wait until some of the questions that are mentioned above are answered before voting to