PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Commission unanimously approved the latest animal ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, January 17.
Among the changes are the establishment of minimum outdoor standards for animal shelters and new rules on tethering.
The ordinance stipulates, “The minimum outdoor standards for evacuation shelters are as follows.
- Sufficient shade shall be provided by natural or artificial means to protect animals from direct sunlight when sunlight can cause heat exhaustion by tying or confining animals outdoors.
- Appropriate shelter should be provided if the animal is outdoors tied up or confined unattended. Adequate shelter means an enclosure consisting of at least three sides, a floor and a roof. Enclosures must be dry, ventilated, and have enough space for animals to move freely and lie down comfortably. These areas should be well drained and should not be exposed to flooding or continued wet or muddy conditions containing faeces and other wastes. “
Things that are not considered suitable shelter include vehicles, cardboard cages, transport cages, and airplane crates. Do not keep animals in metal barrels in direct sunlight during the summer.
The ordinance also states that “animals shall not be confined in buildings, pens, vehicles, boats, vehicles, or containers of any kind when extreme heat or extreme cold is detrimental to their health.”
The ordinance then defines humane animal tethering, noting that tethered animals must have continuous access to water, adequate shelter, and natural or artificial shade. The tether used should be rotated at both ends and should be attached to a flat buckle he type collar or harness. The ordinance states, “Inappropriate collars must include slip chains, choker chains, prong collars, martingale, or any type of neck restraint that modulates pressure in a manner that may choke the animal, but It is not limited to these.”
Ordinance prohibits tethering animals less than 4 months old. […] [and] The weight of the tether cannot exceed approximately 10% of the dog’s weight unless necessary to prevent breakage or a public safety hazard. ”He can only connect one animal to one tether.
The ordinance also states that tethers must be “commercially available animal tethers or made of materials that do not harm animals. must be replaced.” No pulley system, runner, running line, or trolley system shall exceed 7 feet above the ground.
If any part of the ordinance is violated, the owner will be given three days to comply with the ordinance, after which a $50 subpoena will be issued. It then states, “Failure to comply shall result in seizure of the animal at the end of the sixth day, and if the owner fails to comply after seizure, the animal shall become the property of Pender County. A 72-hour hold at the shelter shall be .”
