Two pit bull terriers that reside in the Sunset Way area of Seven Lakes North have been deemed vicious after an investigation by Moore County Animal Control. In a telephone interview with The Times, Community Manager Alina Cochran said the Association is taking the appropriate steps to resolve the matter.
Late in October, the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Board heard from Northsider Edith Swigart that her leashed dog had been attacked in the street by the two dogs, apparently after their electronic invisible fence collars had failed.
Animal Control Officer Bryant Voss investigated the complaint and determined that the two dogs in question had also attacked another resident’s animal a year ago.
“The first time a dog attacks a person or pet, we say shame on the dog,” Voss told The Times. “
“The second time a dog attacks, we say shame on the owner — because you know the potential of the animal.”
Voss explained that the county has an informal “three strikes and you’re out” policy on vicious dogs.
“If there is a third attack,” he said, “that is pure neglect, and we will do what we have to do and remove them at that point.”
Once deemed vicious by Moore County, the owner is given fourteen days to construct an appropriate outdoor enclosure or to make arrangements for the animal to be secured at all times —housed indoors, supervised when outdoors, and only allowed off-property when leashed and muzzled.
SLLA rules, however, are more restrictive.
In fact, two vastly different regulations have come under consideration in recent meetings between Voss, Cochran, and Directors Melinda Scott and Chuck Mims.
First, the county’s requirement for a secure outdoor enclosure with a six-foot chain link fence, roof, and concrete pad would not be allowed by Architectural Review Board [ARB] standards.
Secondly, SLLA rules stipulate that household pets shall be kept so as not to become a nuisance, that the keeping of a vicious animal is prohibited, and that it is unlawful for any owner or custodian to maintain a vicious animal in the community, irrespective of whether said animal is on a leash or otherwise confined.
