Agenda - 05-26-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• the ban on leghold traps. He stated it doesn't seem germaine to the basic problems that prompted the Ordinance. The problems sited in this section should be dealt with as a separate issue and not in this Ordinance. DAVID DAVIS , member of the Board of Directors for the Eno River Association, objected to the differential fee schedule stating there are parts of rural Orange County that don't need this Ordinance. He emphasized that he doesn't need anyone coming to his home and telling him how to take care of his dogs. He asked that the Ordinance be restudied. GENE HANRANAN , told about a pet of his which got caught in a trap. He feels that the legislation should be temporary and that the County should work with the cattlemen to solve their problems. TOM GIDUZ talked about the spaying and neutering of dogs and the cost to the County of the unwanted animals. The only effective way to control the dog and cat population is through spaying and neutering. He noted that 3800 animals were put to sleep at the shelter last year. Animals who are wearing I.D. tags are traced and returned to their homes. He presented a petition with 1, 628 signatures of Orange County residents who supported the ban on the steel leghold trap and a petition with 335 non-Orange County signatures. JOAN CUNNINGHAM , former Director of the Animal Shelter in Guilford County and currently Assistant District Attorney in Durham County, spoke in support of the Ordinance. She has prosecuted under the State Animal Law and also the Durham County Ordinance. She stated that having an Ordinance with the specificity as this proposed Ordinance is a very valuable tool for a prosecutor or an animal control officer or for anyone who is in the business of enforcing animal laws or controlling animal behavior. The expanded section on definitions is very helpful and the expanded section on cruelty is very impressive. It complements State Law and serves as notice to the Community what this community, through its Board of Commissioners, feels is inappropriate and cruel behavior. The Ordinance is progressive and anticipates the problems that Orange County will face. She urged that the Commissioners pass the Ordinance as proposed. ALICE DAWSON stated that while the Ordinance will not prevent all the problems associated with animals, it will establish the tone of how the community feels is the proper way of dealing with animals and the responsibility of pet owners. The differential licensing will provide an incentive to people and encourage owners to have their animals spayed or neutered. MARGIE LINDEKE , veternarian, stated that animals live longer and healthier lives when they are neutered. She spoke in support of the leash law as contained in the Ordinance. She presented a petition with the signatures of fourteen veternarians who support the ban on the leghold trap. KAREN WYSOCKI , resident of Hillsborough, commented on the dogs and cats that live next door. She suggested that Section 21 be amended to include that the issue of odor be considered a nuisance. Under Section 17 - non-commercial kennels she suggested that "animals kept in large numbers for domestic enjoyment" be added to the phase animals "keep for children, etc. " be included. WILLARD WARD , member of the Animal Control Task Force, stated several