Agenda - 05-26-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 4 DR. WAYNE JORDAN supports the ordinance with a few exceptions. He opposes the fees as outlined for licensing and permits. He indicated this is just another tax. The requirements as set forth in the Ordinance for the non- commercial kennel is more red tape and he is opposed to this section, stating there should be no fee for the non-commercial kennel. He believes that the section pertaining to dogs riding in the back of a pickup truck is unnecessary. He suggested that the first line of the section dealing with hunting dogs be deleted. DIETRICH HAUGWITZ presented and read a letter from Nancy Rich, President of the North Carolina Network for Animals. She urged the ban of the leghold trap stating that leghold traps are a danger to hikers, children and pets. Mr. Haugwitz added his endorsement to the ban of the leghold trap. The device is a monsterous and extremely cruel device and other control devices are available. He presented for the record some documents from a study done in New Jersey. BILL MISHOE referred to the differential fee schedule stating it should be deleted from the Ordinance. He doesn't feel that it is necessary to regulate non-commercial kennels. He referred to the statement in the Ordinance that says a dog must be in the presence of its owner. He explained that when hunting, you keep up with a dog by the sound and not by the actual presence of that dog. He expressed opposition to the section referring to the transport of dogs in the back of a pickup truck. JACKIE STROUBLE spoke in support of the proposed Ordinance. The Ordinance addresses those changes which have come about due to growth in the area. The cost for the control of animals falls on the taxpayer. She is a volunteer that helps take care of wildlife that is injured or hurt. The wild animals are to be respected. She supports the ban on the leghold trap stating there is not a shortage of rabbit, quail or turkey. PAT SANFORD , Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society, stated that the Animal Protection Society fully supports the recommendation of the Animal Control Task Force and the Society stands ready to assist the County in the implementation of this animal control program. She pointed out that there is reason to have in the Ordinance a depredation clause. There are thousands of cases where domestic animals and humans have been injured by a leghold trap. She talked about the increasing cost to the County because of the lack of a strong Animal Control Ordinance. Animal problems will continue to increase as growth in the County continues. The shelter is overcrowded and it gets worst each year. The number of animals must be controlled. This Ordinance will put into effect a differential licensing fee. She talked about the cat problems due to the increase in popularity. People must take responsibility for their animals to protect other animals and in particular livestock. Bite cases have increased. By requiring the dogs and cats to wear a rabies tag, it will be easier to trace the owner. She encouraged the Board to pass the Ordinance in its entirety. CYNTHIA WISE , member of the Board of the Animal Protection Society, read a letter from the North Carolina Humane Federation. The letter endorsed the Ordinance. It spoke about the leghold trap stating that it is illegal is over 60 countries. Ms. Wise stated she traps animals by using cages. The shelter has them available for loan. The trapped animal can then be relocated. JAMES WHITE spoke in support of the Ordinance with the exception of