The Cherokee County Commission has received the first draft of an animal control ordinance by a committee appointed a few months ago by Chairman Melvyn Salter.



Tim Burgess, chairman of the committee, discussed the proposal with commissioners during the work session prior to the Aug. 13 commission meeting. The commission will consider the ordinance and has set Sept. 4 as a date to receive input from citizens on the proposed ordinance.

The meetings will be held Sept. 4 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The commission will either reject or accept the proposed ordinance Sept. 24.



“Commissoners, every project that you start and anything you do you have to have a starting place,” said Burgess. “We feel as a committee that this is our starting place. And that is as we were instructed to do, draft an ordinance or a proposed ordinance for animal control. I would like to thank the members of the committee which is Commissioner Elbert St. Clair, Commissioner Kimball Parker, Sheriff Jeff Shaver, Wayne Cochran and myself.

According to Burgess, the ordinance will establish an animal control ordinance for enforcement of the ordiance.

“Another issue that is going to arise from this is a county animal shelter or a contracted animal shelter,” said Burgess. “And veterinary services will have to go along with this as well. It is going to address nusiance animals, dangerous and vicious animals, stray dogs and cats and livestock and barnyard animals.”

The ordinance, Burgess said, also covers investigation and enforcement, the ability for the animal control officer to keep records and have a staff, vaccination of animals, licensing of animals and other enforcement as well.

Copies of the proposed ordinance are now available in the county commission office