Vicki
Administrator
Cumberland law banning tethering takes effect Saturday
Published: 05:18 AM, Mon Jul 27, 2009
By Francis X. Gilpin
Saturday is an occasion for Cumberland County canines to celebrate.
That's when a new anti-tethering ordinance goes on the county books.
Along with the dogs, Shelby Townsend couldn't be happier.
Townsend, the founder of Unchain Cumberland County, pushed county commissioners to outlaw the practice of tying dogs to stationary objects in yards.
"I did have the loudest mouth in the bunch. But I had a lot of help," said Townsend. "A lot of people wanted that ordinance. So my efforts were for all of us."
Animal advocates say tethering is cruel to the pets and can be dangerous for humans.
Scottie Harris, county animal services director, said his officers are ready to enforce the rule.
"We're looking for cooperation from the owners," he said. "Our first goal is to get compliance through education."
Uneducable repeat offenders who refuse to cooperate will receive $100 civil fines.
"We hope it doesn't get to that situation," Harris said.
Townsend thanked County Attorney Grainger Barrett for drafting the ordinance. "He is a true, true gentleman," she said.
She also singled out commissioners Kenneth Edge and Billy King for praise. They were crucial to getting the ordinance passed last winter, she said.
"They didn't do it for me or anybody else," Townsend said. "They did it because it was the right thing to do."
As Townsend spoke on the phone, she said the inspiration for the ordinance stared at her. Townsend said Rhudy looked like he wanted to go outside - untethered - to play.
Three years ago, Rhudy showed up on Townsend's doorstep as a stray with a piece of chain implanted in his neck.
"Animal rescue is my life," Townsend said.
This time, however, she wasn't going to leave it at just taking Rhudy into her Gray's Creek home and nursing the chocolate Labrador retriever back to health.
"I had no interest, no knowledge of politics whatsoever," said Townsend. "Didn't even like the sound of it."
But Townsend learned fast.
Looking back, she said her biggest disappointment was the county Animal Services Board.
Townsend accused the board, which advises the commissioners on animal issues and hears appeals of enforcement actions, of obstructing her crusade by recommending watered-down rule changes.
"I don't know why in the world I did not have any support from the board," Townsend said. "But I did not have one iota."
Two members of the board, Chairman John Lauby and Paula Thomason, couldn't be reached for comment last week.
The ordinance could be a boon for fence companies. For dog owners who cannot afford a new fence, Unchain Cumberland County is coordinating donations of labor, materials and money to erect fences in the yards of low-income households.
Harris said the ordinance cannot be enforced in Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake because those municipalities have their own animal codes.
Townsend said Mayor Tony Chavonne has promised to introduce a Fayetteville tethering ordinance.
"I'm not going to stop here," Townsend said. "My work is not done."
Despite county hopes for widespread compliance, Townsend said she expects resistance in rural areas.
Townsend said she knows a bear hunter with 17 pit bulls tied up on his property.
She said he recently told her: "M'am, you need to mind your own business and quit prancing around that courthouse."
Townsend, laughing at the remark, further quoted the dog owner: "I've got 17 bear dogs chained in my backyard, and they like it that way."
Townsend was skeptical. "I said: 'They told you that, did they?' "
FayObserver.com - -
Published: 05:18 AM, Mon Jul 27, 2009
By Francis X. Gilpin
Saturday is an occasion for Cumberland County canines to celebrate.
That's when a new anti-tethering ordinance goes on the county books.
Along with the dogs, Shelby Townsend couldn't be happier.
Townsend, the founder of Unchain Cumberland County, pushed county commissioners to outlaw the practice of tying dogs to stationary objects in yards.
"I did have the loudest mouth in the bunch. But I had a lot of help," said Townsend. "A lot of people wanted that ordinance. So my efforts were for all of us."
Animal advocates say tethering is cruel to the pets and can be dangerous for humans.
Scottie Harris, county animal services director, said his officers are ready to enforce the rule.
"We're looking for cooperation from the owners," he said. "Our first goal is to get compliance through education."
Uneducable repeat offenders who refuse to cooperate will receive $100 civil fines.
"We hope it doesn't get to that situation," Harris said.
Townsend thanked County Attorney Grainger Barrett for drafting the ordinance. "He is a true, true gentleman," she said.
She also singled out commissioners Kenneth Edge and Billy King for praise. They were crucial to getting the ordinance passed last winter, she said.
"They didn't do it for me or anybody else," Townsend said. "They did it because it was the right thing to do."
As Townsend spoke on the phone, she said the inspiration for the ordinance stared at her. Townsend said Rhudy looked like he wanted to go outside - untethered - to play.
Three years ago, Rhudy showed up on Townsend's doorstep as a stray with a piece of chain implanted in his neck.
"Animal rescue is my life," Townsend said.
This time, however, she wasn't going to leave it at just taking Rhudy into her Gray's Creek home and nursing the chocolate Labrador retriever back to health.
"I had no interest, no knowledge of politics whatsoever," said Townsend. "Didn't even like the sound of it."
But Townsend learned fast.
Looking back, she said her biggest disappointment was the county Animal Services Board.
Townsend accused the board, which advises the commissioners on animal issues and hears appeals of enforcement actions, of obstructing her crusade by recommending watered-down rule changes.
"I don't know why in the world I did not have any support from the board," Townsend said. "But I did not have one iota."
Two members of the board, Chairman John Lauby and Paula Thomason, couldn't be reached for comment last week.
The ordinance could be a boon for fence companies. For dog owners who cannot afford a new fence, Unchain Cumberland County is coordinating donations of labor, materials and money to erect fences in the yards of low-income households.
Harris said the ordinance cannot be enforced in Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake because those municipalities have their own animal codes.
Townsend said Mayor Tony Chavonne has promised to introduce a Fayetteville tethering ordinance.
"I'm not going to stop here," Townsend said. "My work is not done."
Despite county hopes for widespread compliance, Townsend said she expects resistance in rural areas.
Townsend said she knows a bear hunter with 17 pit bulls tied up on his property.
She said he recently told her: "M'am, you need to mind your own business and quit prancing around that courthouse."
Townsend, laughing at the remark, further quoted the dog owner: "I've got 17 bear dogs chained in my backyard, and they like it that way."
Townsend was skeptical. "I said: 'They told you that, did they?' "
FayObserver.com - -