260416
Animal Services
Advisory
Board Meeting
6:00 pm, April 16, 2026
The Randolph County Animal Services Advisory Board met in regular session on April 16, 2026,
at 6:00 p.m. in the Randolph County Office Building Meeting Room A, 725 McDowell Road,
Asheboro, NC. Chairman Kenny Kidd, Lisa Sparks, Cynthia Grantham, JR Beard, Renee Bryant,
and Brandon Merrill were in attendance. Jennifer Layton and Matthew Camp were absent. Also
present were County Manager Zeb Holden, Animal Services Director Jonathan Moody, and Clerk
to the Board Dana Crisco.
Call to Order and Opening Comments
Chairman Kidd opened the meeting welcomed Board members and guests.
Public Comment
Chairman Kidd asked if anyone had signed up to speak. Ms. Crisco replied no.
Approval of Minutes
On motion of Beard, seconded by Bryant, the Board voted 6-0 to approve minutes of January
15, 2026.
Approval of Agenda
On motion of Beard, seconded by Sparks, the Board voted 6-0 to approve the agenda with the
addition of the Proclamation for National Therapy Animal Day, as follows:
WHEREAS, Pet Partners has designated April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day;
and
WHEREAS, scientific research shows that interacting with therapy animals can
reduce stress, relieve depression, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure and strengthen
the immune system; and
WHEREAS, therapy animal teams in the Randolph County play an important role in
improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond; and
WHEREAS, therapy animal teams interact with a variety of people in the community
including veterans, seniors, patients, students, and those approaching end of life; and
WHEREAS, these exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human
companions bring comfort and healing to those in need; and
WHEREAS, the Board encourages more pet owners to consider becoming
volunteers to help the community by creating greater access to meaningful therapy
animal visits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Randolph County Animal Services
Advisory Board acknowledges April 30, 2026, as National Therapy Animal Day
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in Randolph County and encourages citizens to celebrate therapy animals and their
human handlers. The Board also honors the service of therapy animal teams in the
community and in communities across the nation.
Animal Services Operational/Department Updates
Jonathan Moody, Animal Services Director, thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He
provided the Board with statistics of the 2026 year-to-date (YTD) versus the 2025 YTD. He spoke
of a networking and training event called the Life Savings Summit that he and his Lead Officer
would attend. Mr. Moody said that the staff continues to get continuing education proposed in
the Strategic Plan. The Animal Services team helped Happy Hills at a vaccine clinic as well.
Dangerous Dog Hearing Update
Mr. Moody explained the process of the Dangerous Dog Hearing and the outcome determined
by the Board consisting of Chairman Kidd, Cynthia Grantham, and JR Beard that the dog in
question should be deemed a Dangerous Dog.
Mr. Beard said the evidence in the pictures proved the danger posed by the dog. He also
commented on the owner putting this 120-pound dog on a retractable leash which was easily
broken.
Ms. Sparks stated that when a dog attacks another dog, the owners need to be educated. Mr.
Beard suggested handing out pamphlets at vaccine clinics. Ms. Bryant said that the SPCA may be
able to help pay for printing those.
Board Discussion
Mr. Beard said that Animal Services Officers had been visible in the Liberty area.
Ms. Sparks updated the Board regarding the vaccination clinic. Both rabies and parvo vaccines
ndrd
were offered. Upcoming clinics were scheduled for August 22 and October 3. The clinic in
August will be held at the American Legion in Liberty. She mentioned that having the October
clinic in Asheboro would have an impact and wondered if the Agricultural Center parking lot
would be available.
Mr. Holden stated that we could check availability and also suggested the parking lot at
Northgate Plaza.
Ms. Bryant said the shelter is running out of room. The animals in protective custody are using
up spots. The municipal cases tend to be extremely slow. There had been a case that did not
become final for a 3-year period. The space for adoptable animals is lowered because of that.
Also, owners surrendering animals continue to be an issue too. She commended Mr. Moody for
his ongoing efforts to keep the County from being fined by the State.
Mr. Beard asked Mr. Moody to sketch out what is needed in the way of space for the future.
Mr. Holden inquired about the potential for fees for protective custody for the municipalities.
4/16/2026
Ms. Sparks stated that when an animal has been in custody for over thirty days, the State
requires daily enrichment activities like toys. These are an additional expense. Ms. Bryant
offered that the SPCA may be able to help with that cost.
Mr. Moody said that when he is involved in a case requiring protective custody, he speaks
with the Judge to have them understand the urgency of finalizing the case.
Mr. Moody realized that he forgot an update on the new Nuisance Policy. He said that in the
first quarter of the policy being in place, he has been successful educating owners about what
was needed to keep the animals contained. The cases were handled when the owners fixed the
problems.
Adjournment
Chairman Kidd thanked the Board members and the Animal Services staff for their work and
dedication.
At 7:01 p.m., on motion of Beard, seconded by Bryant, the Board voted 6-0 to adjourn.
4/16/2026