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d ;* <br /> ( <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT ITEM NO. 12-7 <br /> MEETING DATE Sentember 20 : <br /> SUBJECT: Animal Control <br /> DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: YES x NO <br /> _ . <br /> - — <br /> ! <br /> ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Commissioner Willhoi <br /> 1. Summary of Amendments IN* . <br /> 2. Proposed Animal Control Ordinance PHONE NUMBERS: HILLSBORO Gil - 732-8181 <br /> 3. Summary of Comments and Suggested HILLSBOROUGH - 732-9361 <br /> Animal Control Odinance Amendments — CHAPEL HILL - 967-9251 <br /> in Response Hereto MEBANE - 227-2031 <br /> DURHAM - 688-7331 <br /> PURPOSE: In gener0 , the purposes of this, ordinance are to define and prohibit the <br /> abuse of Ianimals ; to establish an animal cruelty investigation effort; to <br /> define and remedy public nuisance problems that are dangerous or prejudicial <br /> to publiC health, property, and livestock; to remedy the emission of noises <br /> that annoy or frighten citizens ; to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the <br /> keeping of strays; to prevent dogs from going at large and breeding in such <br /> manner as to maintain a superabundance of dogs and engaging in pack activitiE <br /> to permaently restrain vicious dogs; to establish a citizens complaint proc( <br /> and, to establish civil fines for viblation of the ordinance. <br /> NEED: Numerous Citizens are bitten each year (some persons sustain serious injury <br /> requiring hospitalization) ; the Animal Control Officers (ACOs) of the Health <br /> Department handle around 10 bite cases per month; dogs cause bicyclists and <br /> motorcyclists to have accidents; in some areas jogging and other outdoor <br /> exercise is hazardous due to dogs ; livestock are killed by dog packs ; roaminc <br /> dogs destroy property; citizens complain they are not able to enjoy their <br /> own yards due to roaming dogs ; the ACOS respond to about 170 citizen complain <br /> about dogs per month in the non-incorporated areas of Orange County. Several <br /> Major cases of cruelty to animals are discovered each year. We lack a systeir <br /> tized effort to discover the true extent of this problem and stop such prac- <br /> tices. Orange County does not now have an ordinance other than the minimal <br /> State RegOlations. The State Regulations are inadequate for the control of <br /> roaming and biting dogs - often our ACO's are unable to help people due to <br /> lack of regulations. <br /> IMPACT: A) Increased safety and security of citizens and property from animals. <br /> B) Provide ACO's with necessary regulations to do their jobs. <br /> C) Establish an animal cruelty investigation/prevention program. <br /> D) Minimal additional county cost but increased revenue due to fine collecti <br />