Council addresses animal control … again

Following a disastrous first go at an animal control ordinance last October, Clarendon County Council elected to scrap the original plan and convene an advisory committee to help set the tone and direction of a new plan.

Representatives of the Animal Shelter and its volunteers, as well as members of the hunting community, met on March 31 to review and rework the ordinance.

“The overall intent of the original ordinance stayed the same,” said County Attorney David Epperson, who oversaw the work of the advisory committee.

“The ordinance deals strictly with enforcement and not funding,” he explained. “And the enforcement will be complaint driven.”

Epperson explained that the proposed animal control officer, under the administration of the Sheriff’s office, would respond to calls and complaints from citizens, though if a stray animal was observed in the course of normal patrol, it could be picked up.

The current ordinance defines animals as “carnivorous domestic mammals, excluding livestock and cats.” The ordinance also excludes hunting dogs or “any animal engaged in the act of hunting, while accompanied by an owner or other person with custody and control of the animal.”

Any animal that is picked up that cannot be positively identified will be impounded for five days after which time the animal may be disposed of in a humane way or turned over to an organization that cares for animals.

If an animal’s owner can be identified and located, the owner will have 14 days to pick up his or her animal, after which time the animal may be disposed of.

Owners of animals that are picked up must provide proof that the animal has been properly vaccinated against rabies or will be within seven days of pickup or the owner will be charged a $50 plus a $5 per day quarantine fee and a $10 administrative fee.

Epperson also recommended that the advisory committee be kept intact to continue to address the animal control issues the county is facing.

The ordinance was passed at first reading and will be discussed at a public hearing at the May 10 County Council meeting.

The Clarendon County Council meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the F.E. DuBose Career Center auditorium.