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tethering, that there be some exemptions or exceptions to the general rule for lawful activities such as field trials as well as some more ordinary activities such as agricultural pursuits, and that there be kennel sizes established for dogs of different sizes and different numbers. He said that, more recently, there has been an adoption of an ordinance of this kind in Durham County. This documentation was provided in the abstract. Commissioner Nelson said that he was the liaison for the Tethering Committee and the committee that looked at this issue studied it very thoroughly and interviewed professionals, and listened and incorporated community concerns. He said that the document is a compromise and it is safe to say that the members of the committee wanted more, but through the discussions, the compromise occurred. The compromise is the three hours. Commissioner Carey said that he serves on the ASAB and he commended staff and the Tethering Committee. He said that Orange County is not New Hanover County or Durham County. He said that the compromise was reasonable. Commissioner Gordon said that, when this was presented, there was going to be a 12- month education period and a six-month warning. Bob Marotto said that the commitment of staff and advisory boards remains to a period of implementation that spans 18 months as originally conceived. This would be broken into two segments — a 12-month period of outreach and education and then the first six months, there would be a warning system after the ordinance was enacted. Commissioner Gordon asked what happens if a person wants to comply but does not have the funds for a fence. Bob Marotto said that the intent is to do the kind of outreach from day one over the 12-month period so that people become aware of the new requirements and make decisions about how to manage their dogs. One option is to work with community organizations such as Unchain Your Dog. The County would probably not have enough resources to ensure that every person would be assisted. The enclosures are not actually required by the ordinance. If it were determined that an enclosure replaced the tethering, it was thought that a requirement be put on the size of it. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 7 and said that the wording is ambiguous. Bob Marotto said that this should be clarified. Commissioner Gordon said that the committee did a good job in explaining existing rules and how this would be used as a tool for proper enforcement. Bob Marotto said that this enforcement is going to produce community benefits that are not going to arise from the enforcement of the regulations in place. Commissioner Carey asked about the penalty for violation of the ordinance and if the Towns would have to adopt the same ordinance. Irene Phipps said that the penalty would be a $200 citation and Geof Gledhill said that the Towns would have to adopt this by resolution for it to be effective in the municipalities. He said that Hillsborough may be different and he will check and get back to the Board. Mebane is not included. Chair Jacobs said that he does not see data on animal cruelty complaints and Bob Marotto said that he could bring the count from the 2007-08 fiscal year. Chair Jacobs said that he would like a breakdown of what the cruelty was, because part of this is regulating humans, not dogs. Bob Marotto said that he does not have the 300+ complaints broken down into finer categories at this time. Irene Phipps said that when a call for animal cruelty comes in people are not being specific and the first assessment is looking to see if the animal is tethered. She said that this could be broken down, but it would take time because it would involve going through the hard files.