PUBLIC HEARING FOR REVISED ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE

SET FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

–Nuisance Animal Control is Focus of Revisions–

 

A public hearing on a revised Animal Control Ordinance will take place during the regularly scheduled meeting of Caldwell County Commissioners on Monday, September 21.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m., in the City/County Chambers, on the first floor, of the Alden E. Starnes County Office Plaza, in Lenoir.

The public is invited to make comments on revisions to the Caldwell County Animal Control Ordinance which primarily cover the reporting and controlling of nuisance animals.

"The number one complaint we receive is dogs and cats turning over and digging into trash cans, using neighbor's yards as restrooms, and digging in flower beds and yards," explains Greg Greene, Caldwell County Animal Control Director. "We have had an animal control ordinance in place for a while, but these revisions have been added to directly address these nuisance problems."

Greene says the revisions will cover both dogs and cats and will set up procedures for citizens to make a complaint about a nuisance animal.

Citizens must first submit a written complaint to the Animal Control Department including a detailed description of the animal, the damage, and the name and address of the owner or keeper of the animal if known.

Officers will then inspect the damage and notify the owner of the complaint. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the owner will first be given a warning. Any further violations could result in summons to appear in court for civil or criminal penalties. Previous offending animals then found off their property could also be impounded.  

Hunting dogs that are in service or being used in sport are excluded from the nuisance animal revisions.

Caldwell County Commissioners are expected to take action on the revised ordinance following the public hearing.

For more information on the revisions to the Caldwell County Animal Control Ordinance, citizens are invited to attend the public hearing or to contact the Animal Control Department at (828) 757-8625. A link to the entire Animal Control ordinance can be found on the Caldwell County website at www.caldwellcounty.org.

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