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2 <br /> Commissioners. A comprehensive view was taken of the animal control <br /> program in the County to draft an Ordinance to address the current and <br /> future issues the County will face. <br /> He identified several of the major changes in the Ordinance: <br /> 1. Animal Control Director - it is recommended that the animal <br /> control program for Orange County be placed under an animal <br /> control director who has a background and training in animal <br /> control issues. <br /> 2 . Domesticated Livestock - the Ordinance addresses some of the <br /> concerns expressed by the cattlemen in the County. <br /> 3 . Licensing and Registration - a differential licensing fee <br /> schedule is recommended in the Ordinance. <br /> 4 . Control of animals - the Ordinance encourages throughout <br /> responsible pet ownership. <br /> 5. Restraint of animals - standards for the length of a leash and <br /> standards for insuring the proper humane treatment of animals <br /> is included in the Ordinance. <br /> 6. Steel Leghold Traps - the Ordinance bans the use of steel jaw <br /> traps but does provide for a permit under certain <br /> circumstances. Concerns about humans and pet animals being <br /> caught in the traps were addressed. <br /> 7. Standards are set out in the Ordinance for various classes of <br /> institutes which house animals. <br /> 8. Penalties for violators of the Ordinance are listed. The <br /> Animal Control Officer will be given some responsibility for <br /> enforcing the provisions of the Ordinance. <br /> In answer to a question from Planning Board Member Chris Best, Mr. <br /> Ingram clarified that the Ordinance sets out standards for the resale of <br /> animals and does not address the problem of dognaping. <br /> Planning Board member Peter Kramer asked if there is a provision for <br /> the compensation of livestock if killed. Mr. Ingram reported there is a <br /> provision in the State Statutes which states that the owner of livestock <br /> whose stock is damaged by another animal can through civil action file for <br /> compensation. <br /> THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPEN FOR CITIZEN'S COMMENTS <br /> WAYNE WIGGINS spoke in opposition to the Ordinance stating there is no <br /> need for the Ordinance in the County and ask that the Ordinance be put to <br /> a vote of the people. <br /> EMILY WEINSTEIN spoke in support of the ban of the leghold trap <br /> stating that it is cruel and should be banned throughout the world. It <br /> causes extreme pain for the wild animals and also for domestic animals. It <br /> is barbaric and should be banned. <br /> BILL BREEZE made reference to Section 4 and expressed opposition to <br /> this section. He stated that Section 11 which requires dogs to be tied <br /> in the back of pickup trucks is not necessary. If a dog is restrained he <br /> will try to get lose and get hurt. This restriction should not be placed <br /> on the citizens of Orange County. The impact of this section needs to be <br /> reviewed. He stated he lost several thousand dollars worth of timber <br /> because of the beavers. The fox population has increased over the years. <br /> He uses traps and stated they do not hurt animals if the traps are <br /> monitored regularly. The Ordinance is a good start but the impact needs <br /> to be determined before approval. <br />