Help Stop The Cruel And Neglectful Confinement Of Animals

Grimesland, North Carolina in Pitt County has the minimum requirements for animal care. Hunting dogs have numbers painted on them and they are put out on the side of the road when they can no longer hunt.  Dog owners do not have to treat their dogs for fleas or ticks. Owners do not have to vaccinate thier dogs for heartworms or parvo. Grimesland is a largely wooded area where fleas and ticks run rampant.  Dog owners do not have to exercise or walk their dogs. It is legal to keep a dog locked up 24 hours a day.  The statutes for housing animals in Pitt County clearly state that dogs are not to be housed under decks.  I've seen one dog up the street from me living under the back porch. Animal Control says it's legal because a dog house is built into the porch. The statute does not stipulate that it is allowed if a dog house is built onto the deck.  I've seen animals housed out in the heat and other elements with only their dog house to use for shade. Basically the animals have to stay in the dog houses to keep the sun off of them.  It's cruel and neglectful for the animals to live miserable lives this way.
Grimesland's temperatures are usually over 99 degrees in the summer with over 100 degrees heat  index. The winters are bitterly cold with over 2 feet of snow.  There is no law requiring bedding for these outside animals.
I can't count the number of animals I see living in plastic barrels and/or locked in pens-never getting any human contact or love. These animals are totally ignored except to feed them when it's necessary.  Pitt County does not enforce the statutes on veterinary care, either. There are many animals in the county with permanent injuries from being struck by cars that have never been seen by a veterinarian.  There is also no leash law in effect.  With no leash law being enforced there are so many animals being killed or hurt left to die on the side of the road.
Animals are not happy being locked away for every minute of their lives.  I wouldn't be happy locked up every minute of my life.
Will you help me help the animals of Pitt County by signing my petition so I can take it to the Commissioner's board meeting on August 1st, 2011? Will you help me be the much needed voice for the animals in our county? Please sign this petition to show you care and support my efforts to fix a growing epidemic.