Citizens complain about parking lot pet sales to city council

ASHEBORO — Several people attended the City Council meeting on July 9 asked the council to curb puppy and kitten sales outside Walmart.

Lori Hunt said she’s had to rescue a few of those animals from pop-up sellers on East Dixie Drive. She said these animals are often too young to be separated from their mothers and are exposed to the weather while waiting for someone to buy them.

Hunt said people often buy these animals to try and save them, but that generates demand and incentivizes the sellers to breed more. “Responsible breeders are not selling puppies in the Walmart parking lot,” she said.

Lisa Sparks said she runs Happy Hills Animal Foundation in Staley. 

She said they get calls about animals in small cages on hot asphalt or in the freezing cold. In one case, she said a family brought three doodle-mix puppies from a roadside seller to the shelter. All three had parvovirus, a potentially fatal illness.

Mayor Joseph Trogdon Jr. said he shared their sentiment, but taking action is complicated because it’s on private property. 

City Manager Donald Duncan said staff had already reached out to Tricor, the property owner.

Grants for Trade Street repairs, airport annexations

The next phase of work on Trade Street may be in the near future. The Asheboro city council approved a fund to hold new grant money for the ongoing improvement project.

At their July 9 meeting, they also scheduled a hearing for annexing 264 acres around Asheboro Regional Airport. 

■ Trade Street improvement funds — Finance Director Deborah Reaves led the council in establishing a fund for improving utilities on Trade Street. She said the city has gotten two SCIF grants and an NC Department of Commerce grant. 

These grants have different rules, so to make sure they properly track the money, the council approved an ordinance to establish the Trade/North Street Infrastructure Fund.

The available grant funds total $1,668,650.

Reaves prepared another ordinance to create a capital project fund for the Seagrove Ulah Water District. Asheboro has been asked to help take over repairs and upgrades. The council authorized the fund and voted to add $185,000 from Randolph County.

■ Airport’s surroundings on the annexation schedule — The council scheduled two annexation public hearings for their next meeting on Aug. 6.

The city wants to bring in 264 acres around Asheboro Regional Airport. These will be divided into three areas: the Airport Access Area, Airport Area North, and Airport Area South.

■ The second annexation request comes from Robert and Juanita Walden for their property at 204 Sterling Street.