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The Board considered adopting on second reading the proposed amendment to the <br /> Orange County Animal Ordinance restricting the tethering of dogs. <br /> Animal Services Director Bob Marotto introduced this item. He summarized the <br /> ordinance. The timetable for the proposed ordinance is the same, with public outreach for one <br /> year and for the next six months only oral warnings would be issued. The staff will come back <br /> on December 11th with a more developed plan for public relations and a plan of evaluation. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Amanda Stipe read a statement from the Durham Kennel Club. <br /> Orange County Commissioners; <br /> Comprised of over 250 members, more than 40 which live in Orange County, the <br /> Durham Kennel Club (DKC) has been promoting the care and welfare of North Carolina's dogs <br /> for over 39 years. Through owner education and community involvement, the DKC has striven <br /> for the betterment of all dogs, regardless of their background. The DKS officially opposes <br /> legislation limiting the rights of responsible dog owners to keep dogs in a humane manner, <br /> including anti-tether legislation. Where there are already laws in place dealing with neglect <br /> and animal cruelty, there is no need for further legislation to address the same issues. <br /> The Orange County Animal Cruelty ordinance currently in place states: <br /> All animals in Orange County are required to have the following: <br /> - Adequate food— animals should be fed with foodstuff that is nutritious and suitable <br /> for the species and age group. Such foodstuff shall be provided at least every 24 <br /> hours and served in a clean receptacle, dish, or container that is free of <br /> contaminants that may be injurious to the health of the animal. <br /> - Adequate water— animals must receive constant access to a supply of clean, fresh <br /> water provided in a sanitary manner. <br /> - Adequate shelter— non-aquatic animals shall be provided shelter which will keep <br /> them dry, out of the direct path of winds and the sun, and at a temperature level <br /> that is healthful for the animal. The animal containment area shall be free of <br /> accumulated waste and debris so that the animal can walk or lie down without <br /> coming in contact with any such waste or debris, and a suitable method of draining <br /> shall be provided to eliminate rapidly excess water or moisture. <br /> - Aquatic animals shall be an adequate amount of clean water in which to move. <br /> http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/occruelty.asp <br /> Considering that it is entirely possible, indeed easy, to tether a dog while meeting all of <br /> the stated requirements above, it is contradictory to define tethering in and of itself an act of <br /> cruelty punishable by law. Dogs tethered in a manner inconsistent with existing laws are <br /> already protected under said laws. We support the cruelty laws as they stand now and fully <br /> condone continued efforts to enforce them against those that choose not to comply. Those <br /> dog owners who keep their dogs responsibly on tethers, meeting all the requirements of the <br /> law, should not be penalized for the negligent actions of those who choose not to abide by the <br /> law. <br /> Every "issue" broached in the proposed anti-tether legislation is already addressed by <br /> the current animal cruelty laws: adequate shelter, veterinary care, food and water, waste <br />