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When animal rights collide with property rights and the right to hunt(1) with dogs(2) in North Carolina, the Hounds usually don’t fare well. In this case, however, a few fortunate Hounds left behind a huntin’ life (which is really no life at all) because one family said enough is enough and took matters into their own hands. Hounds had appeared on this farm in Sampson County for years, but this year the family saw more cast aside Hounds than ever before, and their overall condition was poorer. The rights of hunters, with their “if it’s brown it’s down” mentality, their entitled trespassing in the name of tradition, and the lack of enforcement of local animal ordinances, weren’t going to prevent these dogs from having a good life, not if they could do something about it. As property owners, they could prevail by using a lesser-known, and vaguely written, ordinance(3) to their advantage, namely the right to impound any “domesticated animal or fowl on his property to his injury or annoyance”.
Willow and Zach were two of a group of five or six Hounds that appeared early in the season. They were collarless and thin and had fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites. Zach also had a nasty infection on his underside. With five dogs of their own and a small house, the only way to secure them temporarily was to build an outdoor enclosure, which is what they did.
Willow and Zach went to the vet for vaccines, etc. They are both heartworm negative (YAY!), and only Willow has a tick-borne disease (ehrlichiosis). Given how many ticks were on them when found, this is amazing. There was some concern that Willow might be pregnant so they were both altered right away. The have since left the county and are awaiting permanent homes.
The expenses added up quickly. Two, at times three, hungry Hounds to feed every day, plus food placed out on the property for the others who remain at large. Flea and tick treatments, dewormer, toys and bones to keep them occupied, and materials to finish construction of the enclosure. The vet bill, including altering and boarding, was sizable. The total was far more than this family expected or can afford. Without this Hound Angel family, the Hounds in the area didn't stand a chance. Together, we put Willow & Zach on a road heading out of Sampson County and toward new lives beyond.
Our rescue efforts in this area ended with Willow and Zach. There were others, but they couldn't be contained and wandered off. It's very likely that more Hounds will eventually appear and we'll be better prepared for them. This was a major undertaking and our efforts have the potential to improve the lives of many more Hounds in the future.
Donations gratefully accepted and can be made via PayPal - paypal.me/houndsofgracerescue (email info@houndsofgracerescue.org).
A better world for the Hounds is a better world for us all.
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(1) In 2018, the right to hunt became constitutionally protected in North Carolina when an amendment to the state’s constitution to codify the right to hunt and fish was approved. As it stands, the amendment protects “the right to use traditional methods” of hunting but doesn’t specify what those methods include. Sen. Tom McInnis, a co-sponsor of North Carolina’s right-to-hunt amendment, said “This measure is about protecting the rights of our children and grandchildren to hunt and fish in North Carolina.". A spokesperson for the NRA echoed his sentiment, “This is an important piece of legislation designed to safeguard North Carolina’s hunting heritage.". The vague language can’t be good for the Hounds, certainly not when tradition and heritage are at stake.
(2) Most counties, including Sampson, on the eastern side of the state already allow the use of dogs to hunt deer and small game. And most counties across the state allow the use of dogs to hunt bear during open season.
(3) Animal Control ordinances vary from county to county. Almost all counties make a distinction between nuisance animals and strays. Concerning “feeding and harboring stray animals”, county ordinances range from “It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally harbor, feed, or keep in possession by confinement or otherwise, any stray animal” (Greenville) to “Any person who feeds a stray animal and/or allows it to stay on their property for at least seven days will be considered the legal owner or keeper of such animal” (Ayden).