While opinions may vary on the specifics of a pet ordinance in the town of Roseboro, most residents agree that one is needed to help control the town’s many dogs and cats.

The issue of creating an ordinance was brought up two months ago when a group of residents came forward at a town meeting to express their concerns about dogs wandering the streets, and some citizens even complained of the dogs biting residents.

So in the last couple of months, town clerk Drenda Ammons and attorney Bill Poole have been working on the first draft of an ordinance. Some of the areas Ammons has suggested for the ordinance include mandatory tags and shots and leashes, limiting the number of pets a resident can own and details on who to call if an animal is roaming free on Roseboro streets.

Roseboro business owner Rusty Jackson has personally seen dogs roaming the streets near her downtown business. Knowing this, she is hopeful that the town will follow through with its plans.

“I think they should have a leash law. Dogs roaming wild can be scary, and they can possibly be run over. I’d hate to see that happen,” said Jackson.

Resident Cathy Naylor has not seen any dogs roaming the streets in her area of town, but she is in favor of controlling the pet population by not allowing any more than four pets per household.

“It would be good just for cleanliness,” said Naylor. She also contended that she has had to deal with neighbors with loud barking dogs, and she would be happy if there was a law in place that would limit the amount of noise she has to deal with.

Resident April M., 29, who asked not be identified by last name, said she is in favor of an ordinance, but she does not want the number of animals a person owns to be limited.

“Actually, as long as the owners are taking care of them, I don’t have a problem with them,” she said.

Roseboro barber Kevin Hobbs is taking special interest in what the town decides to do about animals, since he has invested so much time in them. Currently, he is working with a rescue organization in Cumberland County that will help to save animals from being euthanized.

Hobbs has actually seen dogs roaming the streets, and he chose to take some home with him.

“I have picked them up, rehabilitated them and adopted them out to people,” Hobbs remarked.

But knowing that he can’t take every dog or cat home, he stressed that he is in favor of making sure every dog has a leash through this ordinance.

“Dogs should be controlled. It is better to have them under control,” said Hobbs.

His only concern with the ordinance has to do with the number of pets being limited to four animals.

“They will need to be specific about the types of animals and allow for some leeway for some pets,” said Hobbs.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.