Charlotte McMillan

Published: February 26, 2009

Nebo, NC - As an owner of cats, dogs and horses, I am quite interested in the outcome of the discussion of the proposed animal ordinance. I applaud Lt. Steve Massey and the late Ed Davis for their efforts to stop cruel and inhumane treatment of animals, as well as to address problems of abuse and neglect of some of the more unfortunate animals in our county. I hope that the board of commissioners will adopt many of these provisions after the special committee reviews and makes minor changes to those sections that may be too vague or too broad.
I am troubled, however, by the sections on stray or abandoned animals (Article I Section XV, Article III Section III) where the ordinance actually makes it a crime for individuals to feed or care for abandoned animals. The ordinance essentially mandates a death sentence to any cat that has the misfortune to belong to an irresponsible pet owner, since many of the "feral" cats in our area have been dropped off and abandoned by their owners. They are scared and hungry and when trapped are mistaken as being feral, so they are euthanized, usually the same day they are trapped. This was my experience in trying to rescue a cat that was neutered and up to date on shots, but would not wear a collar (please do not mandate that cats wear collars!).
I have been told that more than 90 percent of the cats that are trapped by Animal Control are euthanized when most are adoptable.
Also, a couple of years ago, I contacted Burke County Friends for Animals several times about a pregnant dog that had been abandoned in Bridgewater. It was more than a week before Animal Control came out. Several folks fed and watered the dog during this time. Why make it a criminal act to do so? I respectfully request the board to remove much of language of these sections.
Finally, I encourage the board to add language making it a crime for Animal Control to sell live or euthanized animals to a biological supply company or veterinary researcher – something that is explicitly permitted by the proposed ordinance in its current form.
I am hopeful that the animals of Burke County will benefit from the efforts of all involved in the debate on the proposed ordinance.

PLEASE SIGN ALLEY CAT RESCUE'S PETITION TO STOP CRIMINILIZING CAT COLONY FEEDERS