Agenda - 02-15-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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'.lJ i Ms. Lorie Stephenson, Chapel Hill Township resident, referring to the Manager's estimate of $17,000/yr. to regulate wild animals, said "Why should County citizens have to spend this money for the small percentage of people who have these animals?" Ms. Stephenson favors a complete ban on such animals specifying the animals kept as pets, not those used for research purposes. She concluded by saying that these animals are dangerous to people; that you can't put a price/value on a human life. Commissioner Lloyd asked Ms. Stephenson if she would be "comfortable" with regulations concerning the housing standards for such animals? Ms. Stephenson replied standards strict enough to make it "almost impossible" for the animals to escape were still not good enough. She referred to the Manager's report (previously cited) that said people who keep wild animals as pets consider themselves an "elite group." She said why should the County spend money to regulate the animals thereby taking is chance for this "elite" group? ,t Mr. Jack Griffith, owner of a "small, non-domestic cat," is in favor of regulation ,!!not banning. He said it is his a) personal right to own such an animal; while, b) preserving safety for his neighbors. He added that there is a difference between the ;;small, non-domestic cat, which is harmless to humans, and the large non-domestic cat. Additionally, he cited preservation of species as justification for owning such ', creatures. Ms. Eva vonHougvitz, representing APS of Chapel Hill , said her group is "reluctantly" ;supporting a ban on such animals. The reasons are: 1) such animals are potentially idangerous and don't make good pets; 2) the animals' welfare since they are not good pets. Ms. vonHougvitz agreed with Mr. Greene that a ban would probably drive some owners underground but at the same time those who are "lukewarm" on the question of ownership will probably not keep their animals in the face of having to provide more secure cages for such animals. Mr. Michael Bleyman, Chatham County animal breeder, said that preservation of endangered species is one reason for keeping such animals; he does not advocate the keeping of such animals as pets. He said if the County enacted a ban prohibiting the ownership of such animals that those who do keep them will not tell authorities when and if the animals escape. Mr. Bleyman supports a ban on importation of such animals into the County while the Commissioners consider ways of regulation. The Board members discussed regulation, registration fees and penalties for ion-compliance; however, no action was taken on these topics. Commissioner Marshall