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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 7, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-b <br /> SUBJECT: Proposed Revisions to the Wild and Dangerous Animal Provisions in the <br /> Orange County Unified Animal Control Ordinance <br /> DEPARTMENT: Animal Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Current Unified Animal Control Ordinance Sandra Strong, Animal Services Director, <br /> Divisions with Tracked Changes 919-942-7387 <br /> PURPOSE: To present for first reading proposed revisions and changes to the Wild and <br /> Dangerous Animal provisions in the Orange County Unified Animal Control Ordinance. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Animal Services Director and key staff worked with the Animal Services <br /> Advisory Board (ASAB) and the County Attorney on proposed revisions to the Unified Animal <br /> Ordinance—specifically, Division 4-Display of Wild and Exotic animals; Division 5-Keeping of Wild <br /> Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property, and definitions related to these sections. The work <br /> on these ordinance changes began in 2019 and was completed in 2022. <br /> In addition, minor changes for the dangerous dog definitions are included in this proposed update. <br /> These changes are introduced to improve oversight and implementation of the dangerous dog <br /> law. The Animal Services Director and the County Attorney evaluated other North Carolina County <br /> dangerous dog ordinances, consulted with experts at the UNC School of Government, and <br /> consulted with the ASAB to develop these recommended changes. <br /> Proposed Changes: <br /> • Define wild animals <br /> • Define wild and dangerous animals <br /> • Update violations and civil penalties with regards to wild and dangerous animals <br /> • Exemptions updated <br /> • Control of dangerous animals 4-42 b(3) change to serious injury <br /> • Define serious physical harm, human vs animal <br /> Because violations of some of the provisions of this chapter of the Code of Ordinances are <br /> punishable as misdemeanors, the amendment will be presented for two readings for adoption. <br />