Intergovernmental Agreement Between Municipalities and County Government to Provide Animal Control Service

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

This program was an effort to ensure uniform enforcement of animal control countywide. In 2003, Lexington County adopted a very stringent animal control ordinance. This ordinance applied to the unincorporated areas of the County. The municipalities in the County had either their own animal control ordinances or none at all. Lexington County animal control officers were not empowered to enforce municipal ordinances. Therefore, the enforcement of these ordinances was the responsibility of the municipal governments. It was determined that this issue could be resolved by the county and municipalities by building a working relationship to allow Lexington County Animal Services to enter into their jurisdiction and provide for animal control needs. Lexington County contacted the municipalities to take the steps necessary to accomplish this task. The councils were contacted in the municipalities and informed that the County would provide Animal Control Service to their area at no cost if they would adopt the County’s ordinance. The currently serve 12 of the 14 municipalities in the County.