Swain County’s proposed 2025 Animal Services Ordinance, intended to replace the 2019 version, was met with strong opposition at a Dec. 4 public hearing and ultimately rejected in a 4-1 vote during a subsequent meeting Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Commissioner David Loftis was the sole vote against the ordinance, citing concerns over the projected $275,000 operating cost. The ordinance requires a unanimous vote to pass.
More than 30 residents participated in the public hearing earlier this month, arguing that its new rules were more restrictive and concerning than before.
As the county prepares to open its first county-operated, no-kill shelter, concerns have emerged over animal enrichment, socialization and veterinary care.
Beth Cline, director of P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter, voiced concerns about the qualifications and experience of Swain County’s first animal services staff, Jerry Bryan—a retired law enforcement officer and certified euthanasia handler—and Pam Orr. Residents questioned staff’s experience handling animals and the plan to rely on firearms for euthanasia procedures.
Residents were particularly concerned about a provision
permitting animal control officers to carry firearms. Other updates to the ordinance—including revised fines, new definitions of nuisance animals and policies regarding dangerous dogs—were largely overshadowed by the firearm allowance and the elimination of a clearly defined rabies vaccination requirement.
Gina Wiggins, a member of the animal control board, outlined changes made to the ordinance since the Dec. 4 hearing, not limited to the following:
Duties of Animal Services Officers: Officers are now allowed to carry non-lethal weapons for self-defense but are prohibited from carrying lethal weapons onto private property.
Release, Reclaiming, or Adoption of Animals: Seized animals involved in criminal cases will be held until the case concludes, removing the previous 10-day limit.
Notification of Animal Bites: Officers must notify a Swain County Health Department nurse by the next business day after a bite report, providing the victim’s contact information to ensure follow-up on rabies and tetanus vaccinations.
Animal Care and Treatment: Severely injured or sick animals whose owners cannot be located may be humanely euthanized. Gunshot may be used in remote areas or emergency situations where other methods would cause prolonged suffering or pose imminent danger to humans.
Identification and Tracking Devices: NC General Statute 14-401.17 was added to make it illegal to remove or destroy an electronic collar or tracking device on a dog, with penalties ranging from a Class 3 to Class 2 misdemeanor for repeated offenses.
“We included the statute to clarify the $500 fine for tracking collars or identification removal,” Wiggins said.
The ordinance’s defeat leaves Swain County without updated animal services regulations as it moves forward with its first county-operated shelter.
“I am about ready to throw this thing in the creek,” said Jason Kirkland. “We talk more about dogs in this county than we do our kids running around here and I’m about sick and tired of talking about dogs. We either need to pass this thing or throw this thing in the trash. I just want to get it behind us.”
Loftis asked to trash it.
The 2025 Swain County Animal Services Ordinance updated version and its progress can be found on the county website.