Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
4 <br /> Integral to this general responsibility is a concern with ensuring that the <br /> practices and outcomes of Orange County Animal Services meet or exceed <br /> prevailing professional standards. A good illustration is the ASAB's <br /> support for the county's Community Spay and Neuter Program and its <br /> effort to manage free roaming cats in more proactive and humane ways. <br /> Also integral to this responsibility is receiving feedback from the board <br /> members who serve on the Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool. This is <br /> one basis for the ASAB to work with staff to maintain a list of challenges <br /> and problems that may be addressed through the amendment of the <br /> Unified Animal Ordinance. <br /> Finally, the ASAB is concerned with the human aspects of animal issues as <br /> well as animal welfare. Fundamental is the relation of animals to public <br /> health, safety, and community welfare. Indeed, one board member is the <br /> veterinarian for Orange County Health Board. <br /> What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments? <br /> The ASAB missed several meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic but <br /> resumed meeting as soon as it was possible to do so. The board has been <br /> meeting virtually since September and it has worked diligently to discharge <br /> its duties since then. <br /> As a result of its concern with legislative affairs, the board formulated a <br /> recommendation for Orange County's 2021 Legislative Agenda. The board <br /> is recommending that North Carolina's dangerous dog law be amended to <br /> allow for a review and revocation of this declaration. It did so on the basis <br /> of experience with the recent ordinance amendment allowing for such <br /> review under the ordinance, recognizing that the incredible frustration <br /> residents experience when they discover that there is no recourse for a <br /> statutory declaration for the life of their pet. <br /> One ASAB task force worked with Animal Services staff and a staff <br /> attorney to revise ordinance provisions for the keeping of animals <br /> dangerous to persons and property. The effort is continuing and it is <br /> expected to include ordinance provisions for the display of exotic and <br /> other animals before being brought forward for consideration by others. <br /> Another task force is examining racial equity in the area of animal welfare <br /> given the concerns arising in the aftermath of events in Minneapolis and <br /> national protest. This effort is driven by the recognition that animal <br /> services and the human-animal bond is no different than other areas of <br /> concern in our communities, county and country. <br />