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Pasquotank commissioners adopt Animal Control changes to create Animal Services Department
Summary
The Board adopted an amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance on June 2, 2025, creating a Pasquotank County Animal Services Department and transferring enforcement duties from the Sheriff's Office; the vote was 6-1 following a brief public hearing with no public comment.
The Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance on June 2, 2025, amending the Animal Control Ordinance to create an Animal Services Department and shift enforcement and general duties from the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office to the new department.
County Attorney Mike Cox explained that the change establishes a separate Animal Services Department to carry out animal-control enforcement, impoundment functions, Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return coordination and other responsibilities currently listed under the Sheriff's Office. The amendment updates chapter headings and definitions, including community cat and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) provisions, confinement rules for dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs, rabies-control procedures, and civil penalties.
Because the ordinance affects policing functions, county staff noted it normally requires a 7-0 approval on first reading; the record shows one commissioner was absent and the item was brought forward. The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:19 p.m. with no public comment. A motion by Commissioner Sam Davis, seconded by Commissioner Charles Jordan, passed 6-1.
The ordinance updates multiple sections (Chapter 91) including definitions, enforcement and duties (moving those duties to the Animal Services Department), the establishment of an Animal Control Board composition, and procedures governing impoundment, quarantine and community cat initiatives. It also sets civil penalties and an effective date of June 2, 2025.
What was decided: the Board adopted the ordinance as presented; the Sheriff's Office will remain available to assist Animal Services when necessary, and the Animal Services Department will be charged with duties such as enforcing state and county animal laws, investigating cruelty complaints, and coordinating TNVR programs.
Next steps: the county will implement the new department structure effective June 2, 2025, per the adopted ordinance, and the Sheriff's Office and new Animal Services Department will coordinate operational transitions, record-keeping, and public communications.
