Town's Animal Control Laws Now Among Strongest in Area 05/23/06

The Town of Holly Springs is looking out for its most vulnerable residents – dogs and other pets and animals.

The Town Council voted unanimously May 16 to make its animal control ordinance one of the most comprehensive in the area.

“It requires people to use some common sense on how to keep animals outside, also prohibits them from being kept in certain confined spaces such as underneath houses …” Town Attorney John Schifano told council members.

The council strengthened its existing animal control ordinance by detailing what constitutes animal cruelty - for example, failing to keep pets in a clean and healthy environment.

“It's unfortunate that we have to basically tell people to take care of their pets,” said Council member Peter Atwell.

Schifano researched animal control laws in nearby towns for the most comprehensive after Atwell called for more safeguards against animal abuse and neglect.

“Councilman Atwell was concerned about situations where people would leave dogs outside on a hot day chained to a tree by a very short leash with no access to food, water or shade,” Schifano said. “This ordinance tries to rectify those types of situations and a host of other animal abuse complaints.”

Depending on the severity, violations can bring civil or criminal penalties of up to $50 per day.

Several years ago, Holly Springs hired an animal control officer to help protect people from aggressive animals. And with the area changing from rural to suburban, the Town needed a way to deal with complaints such as barking dogs.

Now the Town is focusing on protecting pets from irresponsible owners.

“We typically see animal abuse cases when the Police Department has arrested somebody on an unrelated charge or when somebody's moved out and left an animal behind,” Schifano said.

Holly Springs had outlawed animal cruelty in general terms. For example, it prohibited people from abandoning pets or subjecting them to conditions that were detrimental to the animal's health and welfare.

Now the ordinance is more specific, listing types of prohibited treatment. Examples include using a chain or tether that is too short or heavy or attaching it to the animal's leg.

Atwell said the ordinance would be interpreted in a reasonable way. Tying your dog to a tree for a few minutes would be OK, but leaving it tied up indefinitely would not.

The ordinance outlaws fight contests involving animals and prohibits using animals in exhibitions and carnivals in ways that may cause them harm.

Pets are not to ride in the backs of trucks unless they're safely secured to prevent them from jumping or falling out. However, there are allowances for transporting livestock.

Atwell said Town officials had received a lot of feedback about the ordinance and noted there are many in the community who are advocates for animals.

“Having [an] ordinance that we can enforce goes a long way toward supporting their efforts and just doing what's right,” he said.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us