Agenda - 09-22-2008 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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33 safety it affords our pets. Animal cruelty is a serious matter, and we must do all we know to do to keep it from happening in whatever manner we are able. Many would argue that you should merely enforce the laws that you already have; however, in our experience, you cannot enforce what you do not have. The majority of offenders will not comply with suggestions, so adequate enforceable laws are necessary to cause compliance. Anti-tethering is a step in the right direction to .enhance responsible pet ownership. Having a pet entails great responsibility, so we must be proactive in educating owners about the best care they can provide. We passed the ordinance many years ago, but did not write actual citations until quite some time after the law became effective. We issued warning notices, which gave the dog owner time to make corrections. This is not nearly as effective as simply writing the citation. In our experience, an owner will comply more rapidly, if there are consequences for failure to do so. We have the administrative ability to void a citation, if they correct the problem in a timely manner. Again, this would not be possible if no law was on the books to enforce. Our residents have responded favorably to having a means of preventing animal cruelty in at least one form. Prior to passing the ordinance, we saw many cases of dogs being left on short leads or ropes for many hours - or permanently - at the household. Many individuals lost their pets due to strangulation, heat stroke, and in some severe cases -the owner's intentional animal abuse of starvation. We had no means of preventing this abuse until the law was enforceable. The ordinance was challenged in April 2007. We had a group of Pit Bull owners, who desired to tether their dogs with heavy chains connected to tire axles. Fortunately, our advisory committee, board of health, and County Commissioners saw through these individuals and upheld the law. We are grateful. We are also in high hopes that you will also act as responsibly for your community pets as we have in New Hanover County. The majority of your residents are counting on you to do the right thing, despite the very vocal minority that opposes the law. Please feel free to contact me about this important issue. I look forward to hearing back from you with a good report. I can be reached at 910-798-7505 or imcneil _nhcgov.com. Sincerely, Jean P. McNeil New Hanover County Animal Control Services Manager" Amanda Stipe is a Chapel Hill native, a former Animal Control Officer within the area, and a dog trainer. She believes that enforcement is an option. She said that a one size fits all approach will not work to confine animals, protect them, and protect the public. She said that governments and organizations should continue to work together to educate the public to the responsibilities of dog ownership. She said that the proposal for anti-tethering is too restrictive and each dog must be considered individually. She read an excerpt from the book, "The Love of a Dog," by Patricia McConnell, where a visiting young friend did not survive a dog attack. "The two girls were alone in the house, except for a total of six large dogs. An adult male, an adult female, and four adolescents. None of the dogs had been spayed or neutered. All were underweight and in poor condition. None of the dogs had received any training, nor had they been outside the house beyond being tied up to a chain in the yard. Neighbors reported several incidents in which the dogs had been screamed at, struck, and kicked. Social services reported that most of the surfaces in the home, including the beds, were 25