Category Archives: North Carolina

Cumberland County, NC: Breed-specific no-adopt policy proposal dropped

Posted on December 6, 2011 by | 1 Comment

We encourage residents and locals in Cumberland County to remain engaged and involved with the Animal Control Board in order to address the problems that prompted this proposal in the first place.

The board’s new suggestion that animal control do a better job of vetting people who want to adopt “bully breeds” is still breed-specific and potentially discriminatory. There’s no reason why more careful vetting of adopters shouldn’t be done for all dogs, regardless of their appearance, to ensure they are all being placed with responsible owners.

Sarge Wolf-Stringer also makes some excellent points about adoption processes that are breed-specific:

When we make dogs like pit bulls “special,” we make them different. Different becomes deviant. Adopters don’t want “deviant” dogs, they want family pets, so those dogs are less likely to get adopted. [...] If the issues facing Cumberland County are reckless owners who fail to control/contain/maintain their dogs, then why are they punishing responsible people who want to adopt a shelter dog (chances are, the reckless owners who allow their dogs to behave dangerously did NOT adopt those dogs from shelters in the first place)? [...] Here is some info to get started: http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/pages/RESOURCES_FOR_HUMANE_COMMUNITIES

No Kill Nation has expressed similar concerns, noting that more restrictive adoption policies are likely to decrease adoptions without actually addressing the irresponsible dog owners that created this problem.

Bully breed proposal dropped; Cumberland board urges better vetting of dog owners

By Gregory Phillips
Staff writer

Faced with a 100-strong crowd who condemned the demonizing of certain dog breeds, the Cumberland County Animal Control Board backed away Monday night from a move to limit adoptions of some breeds from the county shelter.

Instead, the board directed Dr. John Lauby, the animal control director, to look into ways the county can more carefully vet the people who adopt animals from the shelter to ensure they’ll be responsible owners.

[...] After hearing from some 15 speakers, Chairman Cris Berry-Caban moved to amend the board’s recommendation from October to instead suggest that animal control start checking into the suitability of people seeking to adopt so-called “bully breeds” of dogs. [...]

Full article retrieved 12/6/11 from http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/12/06/1142020?sac=Local

All alerts for Cumberland County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=cumberland+county

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Cumberland County, NC: Animal control wants to stop adopting out certain breeds

Posted on November 30, 2011 by | 14 Comments

The Cumberland County, NC, Animal Control Board is considering a plan to kill stray ”pit bulls,” Rottweilers, Chows, and Presa Canarios, and mixes of these, rather than find these dogs loving new homes. The bizarre logic behind this move seems to be: “No one responsible adopts these breeds anyway, so why even bother to try?”

Cumberland County Animal Control wants to limit adoptions of certain dog breeds

By Nancy McCleary
Staff writer
Published: 03:06 PM, Wed Nov 30, 2011

[...] The board is suggesting that county residents be banned from adopting Rottweilers, American Staffordshire terriers, pit bulls, chow-chows, Presa Canarios or any mix of those breeds, Lauby said.

[...] Since April, Animal Control has taken in nearly 1,300 pit bulls but only 124 have been adopted, Lauby said. The remainder either go to a breed-specific rescue or are euthanized, he said.

It’s the same problem for other “bully breed” dogs, he said.

The shelter has taken in 180 Rottweilers since April and only 26 have been adopted. Fifteen of the 96 chow-chows received at the shelter have been adopted, Lauby said.

Local rescue groups are at their capacity in finding homes, Lauby said, so most of the dogs have been put down. [...]

Full article retrieved 11/30/11 from http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/11/30/1140687?sac=Local

This proposal is in very early stages, and the public has an opportunity to provide genuinely humane, sensible solutions to the county’s animal control problems. The Animal Control Board will meet again on December 5 at 6:00 PM to discuss the issue, at the Animal Services Department, 4704 Corporation Drive, Fayetteville, NC.

Please be respectful and helpful in your correspondence with officials.

Cumberland County Animal Services Department, Dr. John Lauby, Director, Phone: (910) 321-6851, jlauby@co.cumberland.nc.us

If the Animal Control Board approves this proposal, it moves to the Policy Committee, and then to the full Board of Commissioners. We will post that contact information if and when the proposal moves ahead. For the moment, please try to work with the Animal Control Board to find reasonable solutions that don’t involve killing dogs just because they look a certain way.

 

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Posted in North Carolina, Whispers of BSL

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Waxhaw, NC: Animal ordinance revisions will not be breed-specific

Posted on March 23, 2011 by | 1 Comment

At this time, it appears that Waxhaw has decided against BSL in the revisions of their animal control ordinance.

All alerts for Waxhaw: http://stopbsl.com/?s=waxhaw

Waxhaw discusses changes to animal control ordinance

by Lacey Hampton, Enquirer Journal

Waxhaw Police Chief Michael Eiss presented Waxhaw commissioners with proposed text amendments to the town’s animal control ordinance Tuesday night.

[...] Animal ordinances from other towns and the town’s current ordinance were looked at during the creation of the proposed amendments, he said.

“We chose not to be breed specific just because of the fact that municipalities that have done that are being tied up with litigation,” he said.[...]

Full article retrieved 3/23/11 from http://enquirerjournal.com/view/full_story/12455908/article-Waxhaw-discusses-changes-to-animal-control-ordinance?instance=homeleftmain5

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Posted in Non-BSL Proposed, North Carolina

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Waxhaw, NC: Council to discuss changes to animal ordinance, March 22

Posted on March 20, 2011 by | 1 Comment

After a fatal dog attack in Waxhaw in January, city officials discussed revisions to their animal control ordinance. Breed-specific legislation or a ban was mentioned by at least one official. However, other officials did not seem supportive of BSL.

During the March 22 council meeting, Waxhaw city council will hear from Chief Eiss of the Waxhaw Police Department regarding changes to the animal ordinance. Residents are encouraged to attend and ensure that suggested changes are reasonable, enforceable, and breed-neutral.

Read more about Waxhaw here: http://stopbsl.com/?s=waxhaw

Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting, March 22 at 6:30 PM, at the Museum of the Waxhaws. View the agenda here.

Please be RESPECTFUL in all correspondence to Waxhaw officials. It is unknown at this time whether they are going to propose BSL.

Waxhaw officials contact info
Mayor Daune Gardner, 704-843-2195 ext 27, mayor@waxhaw.com
Mayor Pro Tem Martin Lane, 704-843-9606, mlane@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Joyce Blythe, 704-843-2246, jblythe@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Erin Kirkpatrick, 704-843-2195, ekirkpatrick@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Phillip Gregory, 704-843-2195, pgregory@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Brett Diller, 704-843-2195, bdiller@waxhaw.com
Town Manager Michael McLaurin, 704-843-2195 ext 25, mmclaurin@waxhaw.com

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Onslow County, NC: Sheriff supports breed ban

Posted on February 9, 2011 by | 2 Comments

To my knowledge, nothing official has been proposed at this time. Residents and locals can take this opportunity to reach out to their local government officials and provide factual information and reasonable non-breed-specific alternatives.

I was unable to find contact information for the animal ordinance committee mentioned in the article.

Email the Onslow County Board of Commissioners: BOC@onslowcountync.gov
Email the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office: sheriff@onslowcountync.gov

Family pet needs to be right fit

February 09, 2011 6:28 AM
LINDELL KAY

[...] Two Piney Green area toddlers were mauled by family dogs in similar, but unrelated incidents in the last week. In both cases, Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown — who said he supports a ban on aggressive dog breeds — said previous owners had given up the dogs for being too aggressive.[...]

Banning breeds

Sheriff Brown said he believes the county should follow the lead of Camp Lejeune and ban aggressive dog breeds.[...]

In October 2009, county commissioners established a committee to research possible changes to animal-related ordinances.[...]

Full article retrieved 2/9/11 from http://www.enctoday.com/news/pet-87687-jdn-everyone-run.html

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North Carolina: Parent calls for pit bull laws

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | 6 Comments

A man in North Carolina intends to ask state lawmakers for laws regulating “pit bulls.”

Father of pit bull attack survivor speaks about tougher dog laws, education

Posted: Jan 21, 2011 4:19 PM CST

[...Thomas] Clark says his mission now is to educate others and lobby for stiffer dangerous dog laws.

“There are many ways to go about it. My preference is to treat it like a lion, tiger or bear. If you want a lion, tiger or bear bad enough you can get one but there are sorts of restrictions, special permits and insurance to get one,” Clark said.

Clark says he’s seen an outpouring of support from the community and plans to write legislators to see what stance they’ll take on the issue.

Clark disputes claims by pit bull advocates that just like any dog, pit bulls need the proper training and socialization.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/21/11 from http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13886533

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Shelby, NC: Councilmember suggests BSL

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

City Councilman Joel Shores has raised the possibility of breed restrictions to the Shelby, North Carolina city council.

Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE letters in opposition to breed specific legislation to the Shelby city officials listed below. Please also include the many problems associated with breed specific ordinances, as well as viable alternatives for the council’s consideration.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
www.blessthebullys.com

City of Shelby, P O Box 207, Shelby, NC 28151-0207
Phone: 704 484-6800

City Manager Rick Howell, rick.howell@cityofshelby.com
Main: 704 484 6801 Fax: 704 484 6871
City Clerk Bernadette Parduski, bernie.parduski@cityofshelby.com

Mayor W. Ted Alexander, ted.alexander@cityofshelby.com
Councilman Chris Mabry, chris@alphamail.com
Councilman Stan Anthony, santhony@mbaj.com
Councilwoman Jeanette Patterson, jeanettedpatterson@yahoo.com
Councilman Dennis Bailey, denniscarl@carolina.rr.com
Councilman Joel Shores (suggested BSL), joelshores@yahoo.com
Councilman Andrew Hopper, andrew.hopper1@clevelandcounty.com

Shelby councilman suggests restricting pit bull ownership

Thursday, Jan 20 2011, 2:44 pm
Rebecca Clark

SHELBY — [... Joel] Shores said he has been researching the issue and said some cities require muzzles when walking the dogs, keeping them in a certain-sized cage and even requiring an insurance policy in order to own the animals.

“I don’t know what council would look into, but I want us to take a hard look at it and see if it’s something we need to do,” he said.

Shores said he has asked the city attorney to look into ordinances that are constitutional.

[...] Sam Lockridge, coordinator of health services, said he wants to make sure an ordinance would be constitutional and feels the current ordinances already in place are enough.

[...] He said he does not feel banning a particular breed is the answer.

Full article retrieved 1/21/11 from http://www.shelbystar.com/news/shelby-52954-councilman-ownership.html

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Union County and Waxhaw, NC: Commissioner wants breed ban

Posted on January 15, 2011 by | 6 Comments

Union County Commissioner Jon Thomas has called for a ban on “pit bulls” in the wake of a fatal attack in Waxhaw, N.C. However, Thomas then learned that North Carolina state law prohibits breed bans (where he heard this is unclear; state law does not appear to prohibit breed bans). Nevertheless, he says he is determined to find solutions to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

Keep in mind the following facts as explained by the local news media:

  • Waxhaw has no animal control.
  • Without animal control, dog laws (including leash law) are unenforced.
  • The dogs involved in the attack were reported to county animal control as neglected, malnourished, running loose, and mistreated. County animal control did not do anything about the dogs because they cannot enforce city laws.

It is unclear at this time what laws might be considered. However, locals should attend Waxhaw’s council meeting to guide the discussion toward realistic, effective non-breed-specific solutions.

Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting, January 17 at 6:30 PM, at the Museum of the Waxhaws.

Waxhaw officials contact info
Mayor Daune Gardner, 704-843-2195 ext 27, mayor@waxhaw.com
Mayor Pro Tem Martin Lane, 704-843-9606, mlane@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Joyce Blythe, 704-843-2246, jblythe@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Erin Kirkpatrick, 704-843-2195, ekirkpatrick@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Brett Diller, 704-843-2195, bdiller@waxhaw.com
Town Manager Michael McLaurin, 704-843-2195 ext 25, mmclaurin@waxhaw.com

Union County Commissioner Jonathan Thomas, who is calling for a ban or restrictions on “pit bulls”: Jonathan.Thomas@co.union.nc.us

Waxhaw has no animal control

Posted: 01/15/2011 3:41 PM

WAXHAW, N.C.– [...] Waxhaw Mayor Daune Gardner said town leaders will meet on Monday to discuss possible new ordinances, including forcing pet owners to register potentially dangerous animals with the police.

“We will be looking at what we can do to make our community safer,” Gardner said.[...]

Waxhaw stopped providing animal control service five years ago because there were so few complaints, said McLaurin, the town manager.[...]

Union County Commissioner Jonathan Thomas said he looked into whether the county could ban pit bulls. Thomas said he was told state law would prohibit such a measure but he says it would protect residents.

“You should get rid of all of the pit bulls,” Thomas said. “You have to mitigate threats.”[...]

Some Waxhaw leaders indicated they would not support a ban on pit bulls, saying it is too difficult to separate breeds that are dangerous from those that are not.

But Mayor Gardner vowed officials would find out “what we can and cannot do.”

Full article retrieved 1/15/11 from http://m.wcnc.com/wcnc/db_20148/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=F1CD2BE43C864A2E501F499C1C6F8145?contentguid=jwDzaI74&src=cat&full=true#display

A similar article on the topic can be found here: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/26506683/detail.html

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Hendersonville, NC: Council to discuss possible BSL, Jan 6

Posted on January 6, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

Officials in Hendersonville,N.C. will be discussing the regulation of dog breeds and/or dangerous dogs at TONIGHT’s city council meeting.

The meeting begins at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall council chambers, 145 Fifth Avenue E. in Hendersonville.

City Manager Bowman Ferguson has issued a memorandum outlining the problems associated with breed specific legislation and pointing the council toward the ordinance in effect in Marion, N.C., which deems dogs dangerous based on their behavior…not their breed.

Members of the public wishing to speak must list their name and address on a sign-up sheet prior to the commencement of the meeting. The sheet is posted in the City Hall lobby on the afternoon of the Council meeting. A total of 15 minutes is set aside at the beginning of each meeting for speakers on a first come, first served basis according to the sign-up sheet.

If you are in the Hendersonville area, please make every effort to attend tonight’s city council meeting.

Jodi Preis, Bless the Bullys, www.blessthebullys.com

City of Hendersonville
City Hall, 145 Fifth Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792-4328
Mayor Barbara Volk, bvolk@cityofhendersonville.org
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Collis, jcollis@cityofhendersonville.org
Council Member Steve Caraker, scaraker@cityofhendersonville.org
Council Member Jerry Smith, jerrysmith@cityofhendersonville.org
Council Member Wm Ralph Freeman, rfreeman@cityofhendersonville.org

This discussion is Item 9 on tonight’s agenda. Click here to view the document created by the city manager: http://www.cityofhendersonville.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3814

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Mount Holly, NC: Man proposes pit bull ban

Posted on April 19, 2010 by | 4 Comments

Thanks to Jodi for this update:

Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE opposition to breed specific legislation to the city council members below.  I was unable to find direct e-mail addresses for the individual council members, however, correspondence and information may be sent via the city clerk, Amy Miller (amy.miller@mtholly.us) with a polite request to forward to each city council member, as well as the mayor, for their review.

Mayor Pro Tem David Moore
104 N. Hawthorne St., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Councilman Jim Hope
104 Stoneridge Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Councilman Perry Toomey
203 Dogwood Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Councilman Jerry Bishop
200 East Catawba Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Councilman Bennie Brookshire
218 Rose St., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Councilwoman Carolyn Breyare
307 Eastwood Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120

Next city council meeting April 26, 7:00 PM

Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. The Regular Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and the Work Session Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. All meetings are held in the Council Chambers at the Citizens Center located at 400 East Central Avenue, Mount Holly, NC 28120.

Previous alert for Mount Holly: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22mount+holly%22

Man proposes pit bull ban

April 19, 2010 5:38 PM
Diane Turbyfill

MOUNT HOLLY — [... Todd] Young addressed Mount Holly City Council recently to propose a ban of pit bulls in the city limits.

[...] City Council will review the information submitted by Young. Planning and zoning could get involved if the issue moves forward. Jackson said he would also consult with the county about how such a restriction could be enforced.

“There’s just so much more involved with it,” said Jackson. “We’re going to look into it as fully as we can before a final decision is made.”

Article retrieved 4/19/10 from http://www.gastongazette.com/news/proposes-46178-ban-bull.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, North Carolina

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