Agenda - 09-16-1997 - 8e - Laserfiche WebLink

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Of 3 A ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY �. -. 1061 AIRPORT ROAD • CHAPEL HILL. NORTH CAROLINA 27514 TELEPHONE 91 9-967-7363 FAX 91 9-967-751 7 August 14, 1997 Mr. William Crowther 372 St . Mary' s Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Mr . Crowther, Nearly three years ago, in September of 1994, the Orange County Commissioners appointed me as an Animal Cruelty Investigator under NCGS 19A-45 . As you recall, this statute outlines a civil procedure to address cases of animal cruelty. This civil procedure can be used alone, or a criminal charge may also be made against the Defendant . The main benefit, however, is that the statute allows for issuance of a simple Seizure Order through a magistrate once probable cause has been demonstrated. The appointed Animal Cruelty Investigator can then execute the Order, with or without assistance from law enforcement, and expeditiously get an animal out of a dangerous or life threatening situation. Since my initial appointment, the Seizure Order has been used effectively in more than 25 investigations . Approximately half of the cases have been successfully resolved in court, with the remainder being mediated in the animals ' best interest without courtroom intervention. The 19A statute states that "the board of county commissioners is authorized to appoint one or more animal cruelty investigators . . . " and in September of last year, you responded favorably to my request for a second appointee, John Martenis . A few months ago, Mr. Martenis left the APS to work for Durham Animal Control, and I have been handling all requests for 19A intervention, both from our own staff and Orange County and Carrboro Animal Control units . It has been a busy, but rewarding time. APS would like to nominate APS Investigator Sandy Christiansen as a second appointed animal cruelty investigator. Mr. Christiansen has worked for the APS for four and a half years and has broad experience and training in all areas of animal 1