Union County residents press commissioners to update 1997 animal ordinances, expand shelter and staff

Dozens of residents, rescue volunteers and nonprofit leaders told the Union County Board of Commissioners during informal comments Aug. 11 that the county’s animal ordinances and shelter capacity are outdated and leaving animals and residents at risk.

Speakers from the advocacy group Change for Union County and the Humane Society urged the board to open a formal dialogue about ordinance changes, shared data on rising shelter intake and called for more animal-control officers and a larger shelter building.

“More than 2,000 residents from all corners of the county have signed our petition asking for improvements in animal welfare,” said Katie Ryan, organizer for Change for Union County and a resident of Indian Trail. “Animal ordinances haven’t been updated since 1997, while the population and our needs have grown dramatically.”

Residents and rescue volunteers recounted repeated incidents of roaming dogs attacking livestock and companion animals and said animal-control staffing has not increased despite a rising caseload.…