Burke County commissioners adopted a revised animal-services ordinance (Chapter 6) on Dec. 15 after a second-reading presentation by county staff. County Manager Brian Eppley said the update focuses on definitional clarity, cruelty and neglect standards, modernized managed intake/TNR recognition, tethering standards and oversight for approved rescues.

Key changes cited in the presentation include an expanded definition of "owner" and "harborer," new breeder categories and a clarified definition of "harboring" (changes to how possession is determined). The ordinance formalizes managed intake and trap-neuter-return (TNR) protocols for community cats and adds prohibited acts such as leaving an animal in an unmanaged, unsafe vehicle or failing to provide veterinary care.

The ordinance also imposes an escalating enforcement ladder for certain violations: after three written notices of a tethering violation, a fine up to $500 may be imposed. It removes the label "potentially dangerous dog" in favor of a clearer "dangerous dog" definition (an unprovoked animal causing serious harm off property) and clarifies misdemeanor referral and investigation thresholds consistent with the statute cited in the presentation.

For rescues, the ordinance creates an application and approval process for organizations (required 501(c)(3) status), allows audits and provides a suspension-and-appeal pathway if audits fail. Eppley told commissioners these changes align local code with common industry practices and improve enforceability and public safety.

After brief questions a commissioner moved to adopt the ordinance as presented; the board approved the ordinance 5-0. The ordinance was presented as a second reading and will be enforced under the county code once processed according to statutory timelines.