By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

They’re man’s best friend, but as one county resident pointed out to commissioners, they can also carry rabies, be dangerous, destroy property and keep a neighbor up at night.

Dogs have been a hot button issue when it comes to passing a noise ordinance but one resident told the board Columbus County needs a nuisance ordinance.

“I have had a concern for the past six months,” Columbus County resident Flora White said. “Nothing is being done. I have a proposal that I hope you would at least consider.

“In the county it appears we have no law,” White said, pointing out that dogs run around, bother other dogs, eat food put out for other pets, and leave waste in yards.

“We have permits for soil and water testing, burning permits, laws to protect fox,” White said. “There are laws for everything except how to protect yourself.”

White said of 100 counties in the state, 76 have reported rabies.

She said it is not safe for children walking to school bus stops, or for other dogs and pets in their own yards.

“I’m the owner of two pets — a dog lover and animal lover,” White said. “Do something about dogs.

“This does not apply to sporting dogs,” White said. “These are pet owners, not hunting dogs.”
Commissioner James Prevatte said he encouraged White to make the presentation before the board of commissioners.

“When you talk about a dog ordinance (people think) you are against dogs,” Prevatte said, reiterating White was not asking for an ordinance that would apply to hunting dogs.

County Health Department Director Kim Smith said treatment for possible rabies involves a series of five injections costing $1,500 per series.

Jim Nance of Evergreen also spoke in support of some kind of nuisance ordinance to replace the proposed noise ordinance.

There are two hold-ups with the proposed noise ordinance, Nance said.

He said imposing the noise ordinance on business and industry in the county was not a good idea. “That would be dumb.”

As for dogs, Nance said his concern is with “yapping yard dogs” and not with hunting dogs.

Nance pointed out that loud music and other noise disturbances could be addressed with a nuisance ordinance.

“Mr. Fowler (county attorney Steve Fowler) provided us with good information on these,” Commissioner Ronald Gore said.

In a letter dated Jan. 10 and distributed to commissioners, White suggests the following:

• A leash or tether requirement for dogs within 75 feet of a residence.

• A kennel law specifying the number of dogs that can be housed without a license.

• A pen, leash or tether requirement for “aggressive, intimidating dogs.”

No action was taken at the meeting but commissioners said they would revisit the issue.