The action came after Chief Mark Macon said the town has received reports of rabid animals attacking domestic pets.
An incident occurred at 401 Cedar Street where a raccoon attacked a dog. The raccoon was killed by the dog. The property owner has complained about wild animals coming onto her property, according to the information contained in Macon's report.
Macon told the board the raccoon was tested by the state but the test was negative for rabies, although the animal displayed some signs of being rabid.
Town Commissioner Martha Alford asked the chief if there was another way to incapacitate the animals for safety reasons.
Macon said property owners could set traps, but that has to be done by licensed trappers and the homeowner must pay for that.
Macon said officers would be instructed to exercise safety and not shoot unless it was safe to do so.
In another matter Monday night, the board continues to discuss the possibility of an ordinance addressing boarding up vacant property.
Code Enforcement Officer Richard Brown suggested a work session on the matter after presenting a proposed ordinance to the board in March.
The proposed ordinance explains state statutes give towns and cities the authority to enact such a measure. “ ... There is convincing evidence that boarded up structures within the town and ETJ limits are a threat to the public health and safety, causing, among other adverse secondary effects, attraction to vagrants, children, vermin and increased crime,” the proposal states.
The proposal requires no owner shall board up a structure without registering it no more than 48 hours after boarding it up. The application includes the name, address and correct phone number of the applicant, the owner’s plan for occupancy, repair or demolition and a plan for regular maintenance during the period the property is boarded up.
The registration will expire in six months. Anyone who has boarded property before the effective date must comply within six months.
The owner will have 10 days after notice is received to correct violations noted by code enforcement. Failure to correct the violations means a $500 civil penalty for the first day of noncompliance and $50 for each day after until the owner complies.
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