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Commissioners again postpone action on animal control ordinance
By Justin Goble
County leaders Oct. 1 again decided to postpone any action on the proposed animal control ordinance.
That decision came after Cullowhee resident Steve Fields addressed the commissioners about the “dangerous dogs” section of the ordinance.
That part of the draft states residents can keep “potentially dangerous breeds,” such as rottweilers and pit bulls.
However, the ordinance states that any dangerous dog has to be confined in a fully enclosed pen, and wireless fencing will not be accepted. Animal control officials could declare any dog dangerous if it bites or injures any person, kills an animal on someone else’s property or is owned primarily for dog fighting.
If a dog is declared dangerous, the owner will have 15 days to provide an approved pen, according to the proposed ordinance. If they do not, the dog will be seized by Animal Control and held for no longer than 30 days. If an owner does not comply with the ordinance, Animal Control officials can euthanize the animal.
“I have rottweilers, and they’re very sweet dogs,” Fields said. “As it stands, this is a very breed-specific piece of legislation. The American Kennel Club and other organizations have gone on record as being against breed-specific regulations like this one.”
Commissioner Tom Massie said the ordinance was never meant to single out any particular breed and suggested that language be taken out before the guidelines are adopted.
“It’s never pleasant to be called a bigot,” Massie said. “But I guess being a ‘canine bigot’ is not as bad.”
The revised animal ordinance also includes provisions for adopting dogs and cats; keeping strays; and collars and identification for all pets.
Also under the ordinance, all domestic animals older than four months must be vaccinated for rabies.
After taking public comment on the ordinances Sept. 17, commissioners tabled the matter so they could revise the guidelines. Suggestions from the public included a mandatory spay/neuter policy and language dealing with animals that are a nuisance to the community.
Commissioners’ Chairman Brian McMahan suggested county leaders hold a work-session to go over the ordinance before adopting it. That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. in the commissioners’ board room.
In other business Oct. 1:
– Commissioners approved $25,000 for the Mercer Group of Atlanta to study the county’s personnel guidelines.
According to county Manager Ken Westmoreland, positions had been moved around and changed since the last time job descriptions and salaries were revised.
“We need to look at our job descriptions and make sure they’re accurate,” he said. “Some things have been added and shifted around since our last study, so we want to make sure we’re up to date. We’re also losing some employees to other counties and municipalities. So we need to look at our rates so we can make sure the salaries we are offering are competitive.”
Westmoreland said the Mercer Group will complete its study in 90 days and present the results to county officials.
– Massie offered an apology to Joan Stillwell, who oversees the county’s Scattered Site Home Rehabilitation program for a comment he made Sept. 17 during discussion of a request made by the town of Dillsboro.
That town’s leaders asked if Stillwell could oversee Dillsboro’s Community Development Block Grant housing program.
While Dillsboro officials had indicated they would offer Stillwell a salary supplement for the service, Massie opposed that plan, saying that other county employees serve as they are directed without extra pay and he didn’t want to set a precedent with regard to county personnel policies. Commissioners voted unanimously that Stillwell should not receive additional compensation for helping Dillsboro during time she’s on the county’s payroll.
Massie said Monday that while he did not mean to single Stillwell out, his Sept. 17 remarks had apparently led to some hurt feelings.
“Joan does a great job,” Massie said. “I’m sorry if my words were taken the wrong way. I just thought we should stick to the personnel policy we have in place.”
– County leaders made several unanimous appointments.
Those appointed were:
Cashiers Design and Review Board: Skip Ryan
Cashiers Area Planning Council: Lester Freeman
Criminal Justice Partnership Board: Jamie Perkins
Nursing and Rest Homes: Jane Perry
Council on Aging: Millie Wilson and Sandra Fisher
Transportation Board: Don Selzer.
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