HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1007#i Change the name of the ordinance to: An ordinance regulating congests dogs, nmon-
dangerous dogs, and other animals in lredell County.
02 To add the following new definition (S) for the term dangerous dog:
(S) Dangerous dog: Arty dag when he is off the property of his owner and not under the
direct control of a competent person that, with or without provocation, has killed, inflicted
severe injury, or attacked Cary person.
43 Amend Section I to read:
Purpose
Purpose Declared: Tire purposes of this ordinance are to protect the people of lredell
County from (1) dangerous dogs (2) from rabies transmitted by unconfined, uncontrolled or
unimnunized clogs and other animals that may be a nuisance, and (3) to insure that dogs and
other animals are treated in a humane manner and other purposes.
44 Add paragraph (D) to Section XVIII under Penalties:
(D) The animal control officer shall issue a ticket to the owner of a dangerous dog. Any
such ticket issued shall impose upon the owner a maximum civil penalty of $1, 500 if the dog has
killed, maimed, or inflicted serious it jury on a person.
#5 Revise, or completely rewrite Section VII (C) to bring it in compliance with #s I and
4. For example:
The word may should be replaced by the word shall in section (6C) of paragraph D.
Miller said the revision in this section should make it clear that all dangerous dogs were
to be destroyed. He said there should be a clear distinction between "nuisance dogs" (dogs that
turn over garbage pails, etc.) and "dangerous dogs"
Attorney Pope asked Mr. Miller about having both a provision to destroy dangerous
animals and a fine for the owners.
Miller said his proposal was to destroy dangerous animals. He said the fine was already
in the county's ordinance, and he felt that if it remained, it should be increased.
Chief Animal Control Officer Sidney Weisner said there were some weaknesses in the
current ordinance, and he shared the following proposed amendments to strengthen the
document.
1. Amend the terminology of the current ordinance from "vicious dog " to "dangerous
dog. "
2. Amend the local ordinance so that when a dog is determined to be dangerous, it will
be held at the animal shelter until it's owner can build a "secure enclosure. "
3. Develop specifications for a "secure enclosure. "
4. Microchip each dangerous dog so the animal control department can identifp each
dog.
5. Require the owner ofa dangerous dog to post a sign on the entrance to the property
stating that a dangerous dog is present.
6. Increase fines for violations to the dangerous dog ordinance.
T If a dog bites a person after it has been determined to be dangerous by the Animal
Control Department, the owner shall forfeit the dog to the Animal Control
Department to be immediately euthanized.
Mr. Weisner said his department would need more manpower and the shelter would have
to be enlarged, if the amendments were approved.