Agenda Package - 08-15-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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003 • Renewal contract for Inmate Labor at the Lee County Animal Shelter with the NC Department of Corrections (copy attached) Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Paschal, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. Pursuant to N.C. General Statute 153A -52.1, Chairman Shook opened ,the floor for Public Comments. The following signed up to speak and were allowed 3 minutes for comments:, 1. Ms. Tamara Brogan, 2520 Waterford Ct., Sanford 2. Ms. Martha Underwood, 3309 Westcott Circle,- Sanford The Board considered an amended Lee County Animal Control Ordinance. Deputy Attorney Dale Talbert discussed proposed changes to the Animal Control Ordinance that were recommended by the Board of Health (BOH) based upon comments made at three public hearings held during January 2011. The proposed amendments to the Ordinance were posted on the County's website with a link through which citizens could make comments concerning the Ordinance for the Board of Commissioners to consider. The Board of Commissioners deferred action on the Animal Control Ordinance at their June 20`" meeting until this date and time. Concerns addressed by the public included if an animal was impounded for running at large for the second time it must be neutered as a condition of returning it to the owner. Owners, of pedigreed breeding animals argued the provision could impose an unreasonable financial hardship on'them/ The BOH amended the Ordinance to provide for an exemption from the neutering requirements, if the owner of the animal found running at large reports it missing within three business days of impoundment. Another concern was that plastic barrels should not be allowed as permissible shelters for dogs. The BOH responded to this concern by proposing to eliminate plastic barrels as proper shelters. Another concern was that a proposed prohibition against tethering animals for more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period would be unenforceable. The BOH.responded.to this concern by considering an "attended tethering" requirement and a total prohibition of _ The recommended to this concern by considering an "attended tethering" provisio&authorizing tethering only if "the owner is at all times.... outside and within eyesight of a tethered animal." The. final comments considered by the BOH concerned the minimum size of pens.- that-are required should an owner of an animal decide to keep the animal in a pen. Owners of;pedigreed'and hunting animals suggested that the minimum pen size be reduced because they sometimes desired to keep animals that were in heat or being temporarily restrained for other reasons\in smaller pens. The BOH responded to this concern by suggesting that a temporary exemption-of the minimum pen size be authorized for up to 30 days once every six months upon request of and an animal services officer's approval of the pen. It was also noted that the Sheriff's Office'now; has responsibility for enforcing the Ordinance and has the authority to sanction violations. Commissioners shared their concerns with the proposed Ordinance. Commissioner Womack presented a list of revised changes addressing the tethering issue (animal must not be tethered for more than 12 hours in any 24 hour period), sheltering (adequate shade, protection from precipitation, and access to drinking water must be within reach of a tethered animal), reduction to civil penalty amounts for first, second and third offenses (reduced to $50.00, $100.00 and $200.00), and the complete elimination of Section 4 -195 (2) Issuance of a Criminal Citation or Arrest. After much discussion, Commissioner Oldham moved to approve the Animal Control Ordinance with the above referenced changes presented by Commissioner Womack. After further discussion, Commissioner Oldham withdrew his motion. After further discussion, Commissioner Womack made an amended 2