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Gaston County authorities, dealing with twice the number of animal control calls of comparable counties, is launching a crackdown on residents whose pets do not have licenses or up-to-date rabies vaccinations.
The program also will have an educational aspect, with officers instructing residents on proper ways to control their animals.
The crackdowns are planned the next two weeks in the York-Chester area of Gastonia -- along South Trenton Street, South Weldon Street and West Fifth Avenue.
Gaston County police will be going door-to-door, they say, talking about animal-related problems and checking to see if animals have valid rabies tags and licenses.
Pet owners will be cited if the animals are not up to date on their vaccinations and tags.
Animal Control Administrator Reggie Horton said the average number of calls answered by each officer in the division -- 2,056 a year -- is nearly double that of similar-sized counties. He said the York-Chester area has been a center of animal complaint calls.
"Our call analysis shows this area having a high volume of animal-related complaints," Horton said. "Technology has provided information on our trouble spots, and we will use that information in an effort to reduce future complaints."
State law requires all dogs and cats 4 months or older to be vaccinated against rabies. In addition, Gaston County pet owners must buy and display a license tag for their vaccinated dogs and cats. In addition, dog owners are responsible for making sure their pets remain on their property.
