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Residents speak on proposed Burke County animal ordinance

By Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Published: February 3, 2009

Morganton - It was standing-room-only at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night as people for and against a proposed animal ordinance made their cases.
Burke County Friends for Animals submitted the proposed ordinance to commissioners recently that organization officials say takes the best laws from surrounding counties and spells out more humane treatment for animals.
The 32-page proposed ordinance addresses things such as proper care, which includes adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care, restrictions concerning tethering animals and provides civil penalties for violators. It also would require a license for each dog and would be effective within the corporate limits of any municipality within the county "which shall so provide by appropriate resolution."
Commission Chair Ruth Ann Suttle allowed those for and against the ordinance a total of 12 minutes to speak during the meeting.
Peg DeMarco, vice president of the board of directors for Friends for Animals, told commissioners she been involved in the organization for more than a year and has seen cases of torture, starvation, abuse and neglect. She said without good laws, animals will continue to suffer.
And Ed Davis, senior animal cruelty investigator, said the county needs stronger, more defined laws concerning animal treatment. The ordinance, he believes, will help stop the abuse of animals.
But opponents of the ordinance say it goes too far.
Stanlena Allen told commissioners she's concerned with the extra power and authority the ordinance would give someone to come onto a person's property and take their animals.
Dallas Miller said, "I'm against animal cruelty, and I think most right-minded people are."
But, Miller said, the ordinance is too intrusive and there are constitutional questions that can be raised when it comes to allowing people to seize property (animals).
Miller said it seems that Friends for Animals wants more authority but that authority should stay with the county.
Commissioners took no action on the issue and Suttle said the board will form a committee to work on an ordinance. She said board members believe a lot of work needs to be done to the ordinance.
Suttle said two commissioners, county attorney, county manager, sheriff, a veterinarian and two people from Friends for Animals and two people who currently oppose the ordinance should serve on the committee.
Suttle told the crowd that those willing to serve on the committee should submit their names over the next few days to the clerk to the board of commissioners Vicki Craigo. The county also will accept comments about the proposed ordinance in writing.
Suttle said she hopes they can come up with an ordinance that will satisfy everyone.