Agenda - 06-03-2008-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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"'f ~/ Meeting Adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Summary of comments from animal control officials from New Hanover, Laurinburg and Catawba. Dr. Jean McNeil, Animal Control Services Manager, New Hanover County THE LAW: Prohibits tethering. Recently amended to add, "attended" to the law so that dogs can be tethered if their owner is present. They enacted a ban as opposed to time limits on tethering because time limits are difficult to enforce because they would have to rely on a neighbor's testimony. WHY ENACTED: County felt that tax dollars were being wasted responding to chaining complaints. Also enacted because of the cruelty issues Dr. McNeil and her officers were seeing. The county also wanted to promote a higher standard of pet ownership. ENFORCEMENT: Violation of the law results in a civil fine. Violators have 60 days to correct the violation, if they do, the fine is cancelled. If the fine is not paid, it is sent to the county legal department for collection. As a government agency, the county can garnish a person's wages. New Hanover does not have the power of impoundment. They do not take people to court; the legal department handles the enforcement in-house. PHASE IN: New Hanover had atwo-year education period during which only warning notices were given. Dr. McNeil felt that two years was too long. RESULTS OF ORDINANCE: The law has resulted in very few dogs being surrendered. Neglect calls have decreased. They get about 30 tethering-related complaints a month. Some dogs probably have run loose but those are the people who have no desire to be responsible pet owners. PUBLIC REACTION: Support within the county. Majority of opposition has come from elsewhere. Elaine Modlin, Animal Control Officer, City of Laurinburg Animal Control Department, Scotland County THE LAW: In 1988, Laurinburg passed a law limiting tethering to 8 hours a day. It was difficult to enforce. In 2000, they changed it to one-hour and the change made enforcement much easier. The county (Scotland) has the same ordinance as the city. They have a 90 percent compliance rate at this point. Laurinburg also has restrictions on pens size -10x10 for smaller dogs, 20x10 for larger. Animal control wants larger requirements, but the city council has not agreed. ENFORCEMENT: 1-hour time limit verified by sitting and watching. Violators are given atwo-week warning notice in general, but animal control uses discretion and will give some situations more time if the dog is in good condition. Violation results in a civil citation and $100 fine. They do have the power to impound dogs and feel this has been an important tool.