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Mooresville commissioners approve first reading of updated animal ordinance
Summary
The board approved a first reading to adopt changes to Chapter 3 (Animals) clarifying leash requirements, inspection authority, cleanup responsibilities, and prohibiting certain public sales of live animals; a final adoption date was proposed for March.
The Town of Mooresville on Feb. 17 approved first reading of amendments to Chapter 3 of the town code governing animals, a change the town’s legal staff said will replace the county ordinance previously adopted by the town and clarify local enforcement and standards.
Town attorney/legal presenter Sharon Crawford told the board the town had historically relied on a county animal control ordinance and a partnership with county animal control for enforcement. The proposed changes would remove duplicative language already covered in Chapter 14 (nuisances), broaden leash and restraint requirements so owners must have direct control of animals in public places (with exceptions for designated off‑leash dog parks, service animals, and police canines), and add an explicit requirement that owners clean up after their dogs.
Crawford said the draft adds authority for county animal control officers to inspect pet stores and public animal exhibits to prevent misuse and proposes a new prohibition on the sale of live animals in certain public spaces and commercial parking lots (for example, transient sales of puppies in parking lots). The draft includes exceptions for adoption events run by registered nonprofit animal welfare organizations. The proposal carries both civil and criminal penalties for violations, she said.
The Feb. 17 vote advanced the ordinance on first reading; Crawford said the proposed final adoption date would be in March and staff is available to answer questions as they refine the ordinance language. Commissioner West moved approval; Commissioner Avon seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.
