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River Bend adopts traffic and animal‑control ordinance updates, approves dog-park rules
Summary
The River Bend Town Council unanimously approved amendments to the traffic code (prohibiting most unlicensed motorized vehicles), adopted a comprehensive update to the town's animal‑control chapter, and approved dog‑park rules covering hours, vaccination and behavior requirements.
At its May 21, 2026 meeting the River Bend Town Council moved to update local ordinances governing traffic and animals and adopted rules for the town dog park.
Councilwoman Kathy Noonan moved to approve an amendment to Chapter 7.01.003 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) that clarifies that no unlicensed motor vehicle—except mopeds as described in the North Carolina General Statutes and motorized wheelchairs or similar vehicles under 1,000 pounds—may be operated on town streets, and that all unlicensed motor vehicles operated on town streets must comply with Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The motion carried unanimously; the adopted ordinance text appears in the meeting packet.
Noonan also moved to approve a comprehensive amendment to Chapter 9.01 (Animals). The revised chapter updates definitions (including "animal," "domestic animal," "dangerous animal," "vicious animal" and related terms), strengthens running‑at‑large prohibitions, formalizes licensing and registration requirements tied to rabies vaccination, clarifies quarantine and rabies‑response procedures, establishes civil penalties and impoundment authority, and creates a three‑member Board of Animal Control with a defined appeals process. The ordinance sets civil penalties (tiered fines for repeated violations and specific fines for animals declared potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious), describes injunctive authority and impoundment/destruction circumstances, and requires proof of public liability insurance for owners of animals declared vicious. The motion carried unanimously; the full text is included in the packet distributed to the council and public.
Separately, Councilman Jeff Weaver moved to adopt town Dog Park Rules covering hours (sunrise to sunset), entry/leash procedures (dogs leashed entering and exiting), proof of current rabies vaccination and license on request, a small‑dog area reserved for dogs up to 25 pounds, a maximum of three dogs per handler, a prohibition on choke/prong/spike collars in the off‑leash area, a minimum age/supervision requirement for children, and owner responsibilities for cleanup and hole‑filling. The motion carried unanimously. The rules will be posted at the dog park and on the town website and are enforceable under the town code.
Police Chief Sean Joll used the floor to remind residents that spring is fawn season and to leave newborn fawns alone; he also noted foxes may be present and advised residents not to handle them. Councilwoman Lisa Benton thanked Officer LaVan for assistance he provided to a resident during an emergency.
What happens next: the Town Clerk and Town Manager will publish the adopted ordinance language and update the town code and website; the Police Department and Parks & Recreation will implement licensing, enforcement and dog‑park posting procedures.
