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Animal Services News
August 20, 2014
Spotlighting
• Onslow County staff toured the Animal Services Center in late July (they were excited about
their take-ways!).
• We received a $13,000 donation through the OC Community Giving Fund to construct the dog
play/exercise area originally envisioned as part of the Animal Services Center.
• A donated car sold for $1,200 which is being dedicated to the Community Spay & Neuter Fund.
Rabies
• YTD we’ve had 18 laboratory confirmed rabies cases—12 raccoons, 4 foxes, 2 bats and 1
skunk.
• YTD we’ve conducted more than 100 rabies exposure investigations. Tests are only done when
there is a human exposure and/or when there is an exposure to an unvaccinated animal.
• A total of 251 animals (105 cats and 146 dogs) were vaccinated at the 3 rabies vaccination
clinics held in July and August (and 8 animals received microchips at the last clinic).
• Staff is considering a regularly scheduled session on livestock and rabies with Carol Woodlief,
DVM, Regional Veterinarian, NC Ag Department, given that the one in late July was so good.
• World Rabies Day is September 28, 2014 and we are hoping to coordinate with the Health
Department in a broad outreach effort.
Animal Control & Protection Cases
• We gained control of 24 dogs (including 11 newborns and 8 puppies) that were seized due to
neglect through a recent court action. Criminal charges are pending.
• Another case involves civil actions to obtain control of 1 of 5 dogs seized as a result of neglect
(as the other 4 dogs were surrendered). Criminal charges are pending for two defendants.
• Other court actions concern care, custody and/or control of large numbers of animals (30 plus
in one case, and 75 plus in another), a challenging as well as demanding area of action for
several reasons
• We also have numerous pending criminal cases (most of which concern public health and
safety and/or animal cruelty and neglect).
Assorted Updates
• AnimalKind has a new Executive Director, Martin Banning, with whom Sarah Fallin, our
Program Coordinator, and I recently met. We will continue to communicate with Mr. Banning
about our needs and partnerships and shared opportunities.
• Three positions have been filled (2 Animal Care Technicians and 1 Health Care Technician) but
there are still 3 vacancies (2 Animal Control Officers and 1 Animal Care Technician)
• Staff attended the recent Cat Symposium (sponsored by HSUS) and Rabies and Other Zoonotic
Diseases: Their Control and Prevention (sponsored by the Environmental Health State of
Practice Committee).
• There is still no commercial dog breeding legislation and the governor’s proposal to move
Animal Welfare from Ag to DPS did not survive the budget process.
Prepared by Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director