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Tethering Committee Report <br />July 30th, 2007 <br />adoption of tethering ordinances. In addition, the ordinances had several positive impacts, for <br />instance, reducing the number of animal cruelty complaints and incidents of dog bites. <br />In terms of enforcement, these North Carolina officials reported that successful implementation <br />required a reasonable phase-in period that allowed for adequate public education and outreach and <br />sufficient time for dog owners to change from a tether to other methods of confinement. It is on the <br />basis of their experience that the Committee is recommending an 18-month phase-in period as both <br />reasonable'and adequate for accomplishing these goals. <br />Also, officials from New Hanover County and the Town of Laurinburg in Scotland County both <br />reported that an outright ban or severe restriction on allowable hours for tethering was most <br />enforceable. In 2000, Laurinburg changed its ordinance to restrict tethering from eight (8) hours to <br />one (1) hour, a change that improved enforcement capability. Laurinberg's Animal Control Officer <br />reported a 90 percent compliance rate with the ordinance at this time, and reports that the ability to <br />impound animals has been essential to the enforcement of this law. <br />The Committee believes that athree-hour limit on tethering is enforceable by Animal Control <br />Officers in Orange County, given their regular work hours and the operating hours of the Animal <br />Control Division of the Animal Services Department. <br />Public Testimony <br />As previously noted, the Tethering Committee held public input meetings in order to give the <br />citizens of the County an opportunity to express their concerns and ideas. The first public input <br />meeting, on Apri123rd, 2007, was widely publicized and had approximately 25-30 people in <br />attendance. The following meeting of the Tethering Committee, though not originally designed as <br />such, became a second public input meeting, with approximately 20 citizens attending. <br />Much was learned from the varied opinions and preferences expressed at these "listening sessions." <br />Some individuals spoke against the practice of tethering on the grounds that it was not humane. <br />Others addressed public safety and community welfare concerns. Yet others noted their belief that <br />12 <br />