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Animal Services
Advisory
Board Meeting
6:00 p.m., December 16, 2021
The Randolph County Animal Services Advisory Board met in regular session on December 16, 2021, at
6:00 p.m. in the Randolph County Office Building Meeting Room A, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Cynthia Grantham, Lisa Sparks, Commissioner Darrell Frye, and Commissioner David Allen were in
attendance. Lou Wilson, April Wilburn, Sgt. Lawrence Albright, J.R. Beard, and Jason Balder were absent.
Also present were Ex-Officio member County Manager Hal Johnson, Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, Animal
Services Business Manager Ashley Morris, and Animal Control Manager Jonathan Moody. Other members
of Animal Services were present as well. The Veterinarian seat and one animal rescue/volunteer
community seat are vacant at this time.
Call to Order and Opening Comments
Commissioner Frye called the meeting to order and welcomed the Board members. Because a quorum
was not present, the minutes of the previous meeting were not voted on.
Departmental Updates
Jonathan Moody, Animal Control Manager, said he is working with Associate County Attorney Aimee
Scotton to update the Animal Control Ordinance. There is currently not a lost and found ordinance
regarding legal requirements of citizens who find lost animals. The dangerous dog ordinance currently
lists the Public Health Director as the decision maker for dangerous dogs. This will be changed to the
responsibility of the County Manager with input from the Associate County Attorney. The tethering
ordinance needs to be updated to reflect the proper tethering of a dog.
Lisa Sparks asked if the ordinances will go before the Advisory Board before being presented to the
Board of Commissioners. Mr. Moody said yes. Commissioner Allen said a meeting will be held to review
the ordinances before they are presented to Commissioners. Ms. Sparks asked how legal tethering will
affect the tethering ordinance. Mr. Moody said the tethering ordinance will not change, but proper
tethering protocols will be added within the scope of the ordinance. Mr. Moody said right now the
ordinance is difficult to enforce and needs clarification.
Concerned citizen Renee Bryant spoke up from the audience to add clarification to the tethering
discussion.
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Mr. Moody said Animal Control Officers work to educate owners when they respond to calls. The Field
Training Program for Sheriff’s Deputies will include ride-alongs for deputies with Animal Control Officers.
This will give deputies insight into what Animal Control Officers are faced with.
Commissioner Frye asked if there have been any recent cases. Mr. Moody said there have been several
cases, including one recently that may involve the Sheriff’s Office. There have been several seizures due
to neglect. Call volume is still increasing. The number of animal cruelty cases has been decreasing.
Mr. Moody introduced Animal Control Officer Robert Godfrey and described his career experience.
County Manager Hal Johnson said he received a call from a citizen in Ramseur who commended Animal
Services staff on taking care of a dog-at-large situation. Mr. Moody said two dogs have been at-large in
Ramseur for years. Jared Byrd, Emergency Services, manned a drone to locate the dogs and officers from
Lee County assisted in a field tranquilization. There are no officers in Randolph County that are certified
for field tranquilization. During the drone operation, a deceased dog was found and officers put the drone
search on hold in order to respond. Mr. Moody said use of the drone was beneficial in locating the dogs.
Concerned citizen Pamela Voncannon spoke up from the audience to ask about Animal Control Staffing.
Mr. Moody said Animal Control is currently fully staffed and described the shift schedules of Animal
Control Officers.
Ashley Morris, Business Manager, said staff are working to get out in the community and participate
in local events. Recently, Animal Services hosted a rabies clinic in partnership with the Archdale Police
Department. Several staff members are certified to administer rabies vaccine. Animal Services will be
partnering with additional community agencies in 2022 to host rabies clinics. Recently, staff participated
in a local holiday parade. Staff members are working diligently to offer educational materials and
opportunities to the public.
Commissioner Frye asked about the rate of adoptions. Ms. Morris said the Shelter has controlled
access due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but adoptions are still occurring. Appointments are available for
owner surrenders and adoptions. Owners are encouraged to share details about the animal they are
surrendering with the Shelter staff. Commissioner Frye asked about space needs. Ms. Morris said
additional space is always needed. There are five outdoor kennels that the North Carolina Department of
Agriculture, Animal Welfare Division, has deemed unuesable due to repairs needed. The quarantine
kennels are nearing completion.
Ms. Voncannon spoke up from the audience to ask for clarification regarding the outdoor kennels. Ms.
Morris responded that the kennels need to be renovated by County Maintenance staff.
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Ms. Sparks asked if controlled public access will be continued indefinitely. Ms. Morris said it has been
discussed. The Shelter will likely continue making appointments for owner surrenders.
Ms. Sparks asked if citizens who sign spay/neuter contracts have been compliant. Ms. Morris said
typically the citizens are compliant, as they will receive half of their adoption fee back once the animal
has been altered. Spaying and neutering animals is a major component of solving overpopulation. Ms.
Sparks asked if the Shelter is fully staffed and Ms. Morris said yes.
Ms. Sparks asked if citizens who find lost or stray animals have to report it to the Shelter. Ms. Morris
said yes; they are asked to send a photograph and information of the animal to the Shelter. Staff members
advise citizens how to advertise the found animal and other pertinent information. Ms. Sparks asked if
lost and found rules for citizens could be clarified in the ordinance. Mr. Moody said this will be covered
in the updated Animal Services ordinance.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Commissioner Frye opened the floor for public comment and closed
it after everyone who wished to speak had done so.
Renee Bryant, 417 South Stout Road, Randleman, is the president of Randolph County SPCA. They
choose not to concentrate on adoptions. Often, stray intakes are injured which costs more to treat than
the animal can be adopted for. There is a transportation program that has been developed in order to
move animals to rescues or fosters. This program benefits the Animal Shelter. The RCSPCA also offers
low cost spay and neuter clinics. Rabies shots are included as well. 773 animals were altered through this
program. There is also a trap/neuter/release program that sterilizes roughly fifty cats per month. The
RCSPCA Dogwill Catwill Thrift Store brings in money that benefits this program. There have also been
incidents with stray livestock that the Shelter cannot house due to space constraints.
Adjournment
Commissioner Frye thanked the Board for their attendance. With no further business, Commissioner
Frye adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
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