ROSEBORO — For months, commissioners have talked with officials from the Sheriff’s Department about their concerns with stray dogs. Animal Control officer Sgt. Jessica Kittrell reviewed the town’s current ordinance and made recommendations to update the plan to the board during Tuesday night’s meeting.

“I can say with confidence that this is a good ordinance,” Kittrell said about Roseboro’s ordinance. “Where the town lacks, I can make up in state law.”

Kittrell recommended the town of Roseboro address nuisance dogs in their ordinance, in addition to implementing a citation from the town, that will allow a fine to be paid to them instead of the county or state. The town’s current ordinance does address nuisance cats.

“There is a nuisance cat division in the ordinance, but it would help the citizens a lot if you have a nuisance dog ordinance,” Kittrell said.

The town of Roseboro’s ordinance does address dogs running at large, and owning dangerous dogs is prohibited within the town’s limits. This, Kittrell added, is very beneficial and one of the great aspects of the town’s ordinance.

Presently, the town of Roseboro has a $25 civil penalty for those who violate the animal ordinance. The county has a $50 fee for a similar violation.

“It’s a wake up call when someone receives a fine for a violation,” Kittrell said.

The animal control officer recommended the town create their own citation form to issue to those who violate the ordinance. Once a citation has been issued, Kittrell recommended allowing seven days to pay the fine to keep from being issued a second citation, with a higher fine. Residents in Roseboro are currently issued citations on a state form, leaving the town not receiving any of the fee payment.

“We can’t enforce a county ordinance in the city,” Kittrell said. “County officers can enforce in the town, but only Roseboro’s ordinance.”

According to Kittrell, the town of Roseboro has a good ordinance, but could use some updating.

“We are seeing the number of complaints go down with us enforcing the ordinance in the county,” Kittrell said.

While commissioners have expressed their concerns about the problem with dogs in the town, Kittrell said the biggest problem in town is cats. Individuals are harboring cats inside their homes and on their property.

“We have a problem with strays that people are feeding,” Kittrell said. “I can cite these people according to the county’s ordinance.”

Just last week, Kittrell said the Animal Control office received a call for a home in Roseboro with 15 cats.

“Really your secondary issue is dogs,” Kittrell said. “You really need to wake people up and see you aren’t playing around.”

With commissioners unsure of the exact wording they wanted on the town’s ordinance, a recommendation was made to allow commissioners time to review the county’s ordinance and make adjustments to the town’s ordinance as needed.

“The ordinance you have in place is effective,” Kittrell said. “But you don’t have civil citations in place.”

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.

Board mulls ordinance update, higher fines

By Kristy D. Carter

[email protected]

Sampson County Animal Control officer Jessica Kittrell updated Roseboro commissioners on the town’s ordinance against stray dogs. This, commissioners say, is a major problem in the western Sampson town.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_DSCN32891.jpgSampson County Animal Control officer Jessica Kittrell updated Roseboro commissioners on the town’s ordinance against stray dogs. This, commissioners say, is a major problem in the western Sampson town.