HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0859APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD
SARA NESTLER SPEAKS IN REFERENCE TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL.
ORDINANCE: Ms. Nestler said she lived off the Westmoreland Road, in Mooresville,
NC, and she was proposing an ordinance that would limit the number of dogs county
residents could keep inside or outside their homes. She said breeders had to be licensed if
they had more than five female canines, and kennels were restricted to minimum acreages
by the zoning ordinance, but there was nothing to prevent someone from having multiple
dogs. Mrs. Nestler said she was aware of a property owner who had 38 dogs. She voiced
concerns about the sanitation at the home and the noise from the barking dogs. Nestler
said the reason she had not approached a magistrate, or the zoning board about the problem,
was that she was trying to prevent the animals from being destroyed. Mrs. Nestler said she
was trying to get an ordinance enacted that would prevent similar situations in the future.
Commissioner Bowles asked how the owner acquired 38 dogs. He also asked if the
dogs ever went on Mrs. Nestler's property.
Nestler said the animals were either "penned" on the owner's lot or they were
confined to crates inside the home. Mrs. Nestler said the dogs that were outside barked day
and night. She said it was her understanding the owners had originally planned to breed the
dogs and sell them, but they realized this would constitute a zoning violation. Mrs. Nestler
said the dogs, Pomeranians and Dachshunds, had very little contact with humans and some
might not be adoptable. She said the animals had not been vaccinated, and the Humane
Society was trying to place the animals with "rescue groups."
Bowles asked Mrs. Nestler how many dogs she felt should be the limit.
Nestler said she didn't know if "five might be too many or not enough." She
mentioned some exceptions might have to be made for hunting dogs.
Animal Control Supervisor Sidney Weisner said he was familiar with the situation
described by Mrs. Nestler. Weisner said his office was working with the Humane Society in
an effort to find "rescue groups" for some of the animals. Mr. Weisner said the owners
were receptive to the idea of some of the animals being adopted or removed from the
property. He said the owners were also assisting with vaccinations for some of the friendlier
animals, and the Humane Society had found a place for 20 of the dogs.
Judging from past experiences, Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Weisner if he felt
the assistance from the Humane Society would be enough to remedy similar situations in the
future, ifthey occurred.
Weisner said the Humane Society had rescue contacts all over the United States. He
said that if the dogs were of a mixed breed, it would be more difficult to locate homes for
them.
Bowles asked Mr. Weisner what his preference was on remedying the 38 -dog
situation -- creating an ordinance or working with the owners on a one-on-one basis.
Weisner said that in this particular situation, he felt the assistance from the Humane
Society was the best route. He said that if an ordinance were adopted with restrictions on
the number of dogs a property owner could keep, that he wouldn't have enough staff to
enforce it.
Johnson raised concerns about the owners breeding more dogs in the future,
especially if some of the animals remained at the home.
Weisner said a "sizeable" ticket had been issued to the owners for not having the
animals vaccinated. He said he felt the owners realized the seriousness of the situation.
Nestler said the sheriffs department had been called to the property before, and the
owners were "not getting the message" She said the area residents could not sleep at night