Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: September 22, 2008 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~_ <br />SUBJECT: Proposed Animal Ordinance Amendment on the Tethering of Dogs <br />DEPARTMENT: Animal Services <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Proposed Ordinance Amendment <br />Staff Summary of Concerns Expressed at <br />Previous BOCC Meetings <br />• Main Themes and Views, For and <br />Against <br />• Summary of Minutes, For and Against <br />• Excerpts From BOCC Meeting Minutes <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Bob Marotto, Director, Animal Services <br />968-2287 <br />PURPOSE: For the Board of County Commissioners to discuss the proposed ordinance <br />amendment to the Orange County Animal Ordinance restricting the tethering of dogs and, as <br />needed, outline any additional steps required for decision making. <br />BACKGROUND: The BOCC has received considerable information about the tethering <br />amendment proposed by the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) based upon the research <br />and report of the Tethering Committee. However, Commissioners have not had an opportunity <br />to discuss critical elements of the proposed tethering amendment among themselves given the <br />considerable input received at the public hearing on tethering and a subsequent meeting at <br />which additional input was received. <br />At its November 13, 2007 work session, the BOCC reviewed the Final Report and <br />Recommendations of the Tethering Committee, and requested a proposed ordinance <br />amendment be drafted by the County Attorney's office, in consultation with the Animal Services <br />staff, and presented for consideration. The amendment drafted by staff and revised by the <br />ASAB includes the following restrictions on the tethering and alternative containment of dogs: <br />• No more than a total of 3 hours of tethering within a 24-hour period <br />• A specification of the types of collars and equipment permissible for allowed tethering <br />• A requirement for minimum kennel sizes <br />• An exemption for certain organized and lawful animal functions <br />The proposed amendment is formulated so there is an 18-month implementation period to <br />ensure effective public outreach and encourage voluntary compliance. An initial twelve month <br />period will consist of public outreach activities aimed at promoting awareness of the new <br />restrictions on tethering and requirements of alternative containment. In addition, the <br />