After hearing from about a dozen citizens at their July 9 meeting, Swain County commissioners decided to table an animal control ordinance.

A committee including county officials and community members has been working for months trying to hammer out an ordinance that would suit the county’s needs.

Commission Chairman Jim Douthit acknowledged those citizens present with concerns regarding the animal control ordinance. He noted the board had held a publicly meeting on June 25 for the express purpose of taking comment on the animal control ordinance and only one citizen was present. Because the public comment period regarding the ordinance had officially expired, Douthit sought the opinion of the commissioners on whether to open the meeting for further discussion on the ordinance.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to listen to the concerns of the residents.

Of the dozen or so who signed up to speak only one, Alvin Marr supported the ordinance. Without an ordinance, Swain citizens had no way of addressing nuisance animals, Marr said.

The other speakers were decidedly against the ordinance. There was a common theme among those opposed to the ordinance. Many were rural residents, and some were farmers and hunters. They felt the ordinance would have a negative impact on what they considered a traditional way of life in Swain County.

James King said he didn’t see how the ordinance could work in the county. He said it was common practice for people who owned acreage to let their dogs roam, and he was concerned that a dog would become “at large” the minute it ventured onto adjacent property. King also noted that besides hunting dogs, many farmers had working dogs and wondered how these animals would be affected by the ordinance.

“Swain County isn’t ready for this kind of ordinance,” said King.

Dennis Smith agreed, saying “dogs don’t know property lines.” He said it was common for Swain County neighbors to show each other courtesy and resolve issues between themselves.

Ervin Winchester feared the ordinance would, “give summer residents the right to come in and complain about our animals.”

Commissioner Jeff Waldroup also expressed concern that the ordinance could “be used against the people of Swain County.”

Douthit was concerned some of the language of the ordinance might be vague. Douthit invited all those present to send written comments to the board concerning the ordinance and said the board would revisit the ordinance, take the comments into consideration and schedule another public meeting.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News