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a~ <br />EXCERPT FROM JUNE 3rd BOCC MEETING <br />APPROVED 9/16/2008 <br />EXCERPT From MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />June 3, 2008 <br />7:30 p.m. <br />6. Regular Agenda <br />a. Proposed Animal Ordinance Amendment on the Tethering of Doas <br />The Board considered adopting a proposed ordinance amendment to the Orange <br />County Animal Ordinance restricting the tethering of dogs. <br />Animal Services Director Bob Marotto introduced Chair of the Animal Services <br />Advisory Board, Dr. Ross Oglesby. He said that the proposal before the Board is the <br />result of a tremendous amount of work by the Tethering Committee and the ASAB over <br />a very long period of time. The committee and the ASAB had discussions with experts <br />from other jurisdictions in North Carolina. Public input sessions also played a role in the <br />recommendations. He said that there was a concerted effort to reach a balance <br />between some opposing views in the community. He said that the original review and <br />discussion referenced exceptions for escape artist dogs and for hunting dogs. The draft <br />includes exceptions for these animals, but ultimately, the Tethering Committee and the <br />ASAB opted to not include those exceptions for three reasons: <br />1) concerns about the legal issues that might arise by creating exceptions; <br />2) impact that exceptions might have on the ease of enforcement; and <br />3) the issue of fairness. <br />Dr. Ross Oglesbee read her prepared statement: <br />As human beings we have free will, self-determination, and the power to control <br />our environment and the environment of all things on this planet. Along with the <br />privilege of being the dominant species, comes a responsibility to respect, not only each <br />other, but all other living things that are on this planet with us and to use our domination <br />responsibly and compassionately. Perhaps we should treat other species of animals as <br />we would wish them to treat us, were they in our dominant position. Dogs are conscious <br />beings. They feel cold, heat, pain, fear, pleasure, and affection. The overwhelming <br />information about this issue is that the quality of life for dogs, and their well-meaning <br />humans, would be improved if tethering was limited or eliminated entirely. You have <br />heard and read a lot about this issue. The Tethering Task Force, which is composed of <br />diverse and knowledgeable individuals from this county, at your behest, have already <br />spent a lot of time, effort, and research into this issue. The Task Force and Animal <br />Services Advisory Board have provided you with their consensus on this matter; they <br />have imparted their knowledge about this issue to you. Knowledge is power. You now <br />have the knowledge to do the right thing with respect to this issue. You know what the <br />right thing is and you have the power to do the right thing. Gandhi said: The greatness <br />of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I <br />will paraphrase that to say that the greatness of this county and its moral progress can <br />be judged by the way its animals are treated. Hippocrates said: I expect to pass <br />through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I <br />20 <br />