New movement reveals more answers about ordinance
A group of residents have spearheaded a movement for better animal control in Graham County, drumming up a topic that has been hotly debated for years.
A Facebook post surfaced Jan. 4, showing three deceased dogs lying outside a residence in the Snowbird community. The Graham Star has since learned that in connection with the discovery, the Cherokee Indian Police Department charged 58-year-old Joey Teesateskie with three counts of cruelty to animals. He was booked and released on the charges Jan. 14.
But the recent advocacy was not isolated to the discovery. The movement has also unearthed an ordinance passed in 2011 and the acknowledgement that there is an animal control officer in place: commission chairman Jacob Nelms.
The workshop held before Tuesday’s meeting was dedicated solely to the group attempting to raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals.
Nina Fette, Glenda Alexander and Cindy Zierk each voiced their opinions to the board in the brief session, with Nelms willingly giving advice on how to handle reporting perceived cases of abuse an individual could come across.
“Temperatures outside last week got as low as 1 degree,” Alexander noted. “I know some people think, ‘it’s just a dog,’ or, ‘it’s just a cat.’ But it is a living being and we are charged as human beings with taking care of the animals.
“I would just ask that we have some kind of compliance here – some kind of penalty …”
“For not following the ordinance that you have in place,” Fette interjected.
Filed June 22, 2011, the simply-titled “Graham County Animal Control Ordinance” is a 14-page guideline for residents to follow.
The detailed law breaks down terminology and covers a wide range of topics, from rabies control to dangerous dogs.
Fette cited the definition for “adequate shelter” on page 3 of the ordinance as one of her main points of concern:
“Means a structure intended for an animal’s protection from inclement weather or sun, having at least three solid sides, a roof and a floor, that remains dry inside, is ventilated, is structurally sound and in good repair, and promotes the retention of body heat.
“Structures for all animals must be large enough to allow all animals on the premises to be housed, and have sufficient room for the animals to move about freely and lie down comfortably.”
“So why can’t we penalize someone for this?,” Alexander questioned. “I don’t mean that we need to send them to jail, but if they’re not going to give them proper shelter, charge a fee; something to make someone realize that they’re breaking the law.”
Nelms’ role as animal control officer falls under the jurisdiction of the Graham County Department of Public Health, which is why Fette explained that her calls to the sheriff’s office would be forwarded to the health department.
However, Nelms also serves as the county’s inspector and thus has an office at the Graham County Community Building.
Calls for his assistance with animal control can be routed through the county manager’s office, 828-479-7960.
“Make a report. We will follow up,” Nelms stated.