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County updates animal-control ordinance to allow 'public nuisance' orders and enforcement tools
Summary
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the animal-control ordinance to add a public-nuisance enforcement option (temporary impoundment and corrective orders) aimed primarily at recurring dogs running at large; the ordinance retains working-animal exemptions and reflects state-law constraints on animals in heat.
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 approved updates to the county animal-control ordinance that add a formal "public nuisance" order and new enforcement tools intended to fix recurring problems rather than relying only on citations.
Jonathan Moody, who presented the changes, said the county had modeled parts of the update on neighboring counties to give animal-control officers ways to require owners to correct problems such as repeated dogs running at large. "Dogs running at large" was identified as the most common nuisance, Moody said, and the ordinance now allows officers to temporarily take control of an animal while owners take remedial actions. Moody said the ordinance applies across contracted municipalities in the county unless a municipality provides its own animal-control services.
During discussion commissioners asked about aspects tied to state law — for example the provision about confining a female animal in heat and how barking or working-animal exemptions operate. Moody said the draft aligns with state statute and includes exemptions for working animals (such as guardian dogs for livestock) and for lawful agricultural uses.
A motion to approve the updated animal-services ordinance was made and seconded; the board voted in favor.
Clarifying details discussed at the meeting included that the public-nuisance process gives owners a defined period to correct violations before further enforcement and that the ordinance language was vetted by staff attorney Amy Scott and an advisory board.
