Agenda - 05-26-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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objections to the proposed Ordinance. He referred to Section IV and objected to the differential licensing fee and the spaying of dogs. He feels some consideration should be made for the hunters in the County. With reference to Section VII, he stated that it is impossible for those who have non-commercial kennels to comply with the requirements in the Ordinance. He would like to see this section reworked. About Section IX - hunting dogs - he stated it is not practical to have a dog in your sight at all times and asked that this statement be deleted. He stated that Section XI which refers to the mistreatment of animals and specifically the requirement that a dog be restrained when riding in the back of a pickup truck should be deleted. BILL MCKINNEY , an employee of the Animal Shelter, spoke on the licensing of cats. He emphasized that people must be made to assume responsibility for their pets. The cat problem in the community is increasing. There are a lot of street cats that reproduce at a rapid rate and a lot are killed on the road. He stated that differential licensing provides an incentive to pet owners. The large number of cats has presented serious health and sanitation problems in many communities. Rabies is a continuous problem. FRANK MILLER opposed the kennel license and the differential licensing fee. His hunting dogs do not cause a problem. RANDALL WILSON , North Carolina Wildlife Commission, spoke to the prohibition of traps and noted that the Wildlife Resource Commission in North Carolina which is responsible for regulating traffic in the state views the leghold trap as one of the primary management tools for managing wild furbearing species. The trap is the only way to harvest these animals. There is a need to control the wild animal population. By controlling the animal population, a disease outbreak is less likely. The steel leghold trap is the most effective means to harvest these animals. He stated that the Ordinance needs some more work. NOTE: ALL THE PLANNING ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA WERE CONTINUED TO JUNE 1, 1987, 7: 30 P.M. IN SUPERIOR COURTROOM. BILL W. LOVINGOOD stated he is a trapper and objected to all the sections referencing steel traps. JERRY ROBINSON , Director of the Health Department, made reference to the section on steel jaw traps and stated it was unclear that the depredation permit had to be issued in conjunction with the wildlife permit. He feels the present ordinance addresses those problems which have been identified as lacking in the present ordinance. He feels it appropriate that the new ordinance encourages spaying and neutering. In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit, Robinson stated that the Wild Animal Ordinance is not included in this proposed ordinance but is a separate ordinance still in effect. BARNEY PITTMAN stated that in the last twelve months he has lost seven cows because of dogs. The hunting dogs are not a problem. The beavers are a problem. He is not against traps. If you neuter your hunting dogs they get fat and lazy. The ordinance needs to be expanded to include the cat problem. He encouraged the Board to strengthen the ordinance to make the pet owners more responsible and let the wildlife people take care of the wild animals.