Early this month, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, along with the county attorney, began the process of examining ways of revising our current animal care codes. This is necessary because state law affords little protection for our companion animals and because our quality of life in Albemarle is largely determined by our local ordinances.
Under state law, it is legal to chain a dog outdoors 24 hours a day. This practice is associated with many ills: embedded collars, profound neglect, dog-fighting, attacks on humans.
It is also legal to shelter a companion animal in a plastic or rubber container during the harshest of winters and summers.
As a third factor, there are no restrictions on the breeding of companion animals, and as a result of this, about 3 percent of our population is producing 80 percent of our abandoned animals.
These are all excellent reasons to revise our animal care codes. Both Richmond and Danville have model animal care ordinances that place restrictions on tethering and breeding. The state of North Carolina is also a model for innovative ordinances. This information has been submitted to our board and attorney for their review.
We are fortunate in Albemarle to have a wonderful SPCA and excellent animal control officers. Now we need our local representatives to revise our animal care ordinances in ways that help our animals and the services that provide for their needs.
Albemarle residents may contact the board at bos@albemarle.org, and the county attorney at jlyttle@albemarle.org, to submit their views on an anti-tethering ordinance, a breeding permit to curb overpopulation, and an up-graded shelter ordinance.
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