Starved Pit Bull Renews Tethering Debate in Guilford County

Yesterday we sent out an Action Alert about a chained pitbull that was starved to death in Greensboro.
Fox 8 news has produced an excellent report regarding this animal abuse case and chaining in Guilford County. [VIDEO]

More Humane Society “Lobby 101″ Seminars: Chapel Hill, Smithfield, Wilmington, Greenville, Winston-Salem

The Humane Society of the United States invites you to one of several upcoming Lobby 101 seminars in North Carolina. Free event. March 11 in Chapel Hill, March 18 in Smithfield, March 20 in Wilmington, March 25 in Greenville, and March 27 in Winston-Salem. Click on the links for more details and to RSVP.

Local news reports on the Forsyth County Tethering Ordinance

The Forsyth County Animal Control advisory board is considering making it illegal to chain or tie up dogs for a long period of time because of research suggesting that tethering could lead to aggressive behavior.

Fox 8 report [VIDEO]

WFMY 2 report [VIDEO]

WXII 12 report [VIDEO]

Gas chambers temporarily shut down for failing to meet standards

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Several area gas chambers used for euthanizing animals are shut down for now, but will likely open again soon.

Some animal advocates say there’s no reason to use gas chambers, but animal control workers beg to differ.

State agencies issued warnings to 21 animal shelters with gas chambers that either haven’t been inspected yet, or don’t meet a new set of regulations designed to protect the workers and help the animals. Read more

21 N.C. animal shelters are reprimanded for failing to comply with euthanasia standards

RALEIGH, N.C. : November 20, 2009 - State regulators have started to enforce rules designed to ensure the humane euthanasia of animals at shelters across the state after a two-month grace period.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Animal Welfare Section has cited 21 animal shelters since beginning enforcement in September. The new rules took effect in July. Some of the shelters have since come into compliance.

Read more

Orange County new tethering rules begin this week

A tethering amendment to the Orange County Animal Ordinance, which restricts the tethering of dogs to a maximum of three hours within a 24-hour period, becomes effective Thursday, Nov. 19. During the first six months of the amendment’s enforcement, only warning notices will be issued for tethering violations. Read More

“Puppies and Politics” news report looks at N.C. puppy mills

N.C. Gas Chamber Door Explodes Open, Injures Shelter Worker

A malfunction in the gas chamber at Lincoln County animal control injured a worker early Tuesday.

Investigators said the man had just put some dogs to sleep and was going back to the chamber to empty it when a gas buildup caused the heavy metal door to blow open. The door struck the worker in his arm and side. Read more

Puppy Mill Bill (S 460) pulled from House Finance Committee

In a strategic move the Humane Society pulled S 460 from the House Finance Committee Monday. Many committee members were absent that day with an already close vote. There is still the possibility to reintroduce the bill during the short session next year.

Between that time it is very important that NCVAW members are active in spreading the word about puppy mills in North Carolina and S 460.

Please call or email your state senator and state reprentative and thank them if they had the opportunity to vote for the bill or let them know you are aware of their no vote but hope that they will change their mind on the issue.

EPA Targets North Carolina Coal Ash Sites

(Editorial note: This is off topic, but important information for N.C. citizens to know.)

Posted by: Chelsi Zash

Washington — Forty-four coal ash storage sites near 26 communities have been targeted for inspection after federal officials identified the ponds as potential threats to nearby residents.

The storage ponds, which are used to store waste from coal-fired power plants, are in 10 states, according to a list released Monday by the Environmental Protection Agency. The storage sites are similar to the one that flooded a neighborhood in Tennessee last year.

North Carolina has the most sites on the list, a dozen. Read More and Contact your Senator