SALISBURY — The Rowan County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved an amendment to the county leash ordinance.

The change prohibits electric-control devices such as correction collars from being considered a restraint when an animal is off the owner’s property.

Bob Pendergrass said the change came in light of requests from both commissioners and concerned residents. Renee MacNutt spoke during a public hearing on the ordinance change.

MacNutt said that dog owners using correction collars as restraints are a real problem in her neighborhood. She said her two dogs were recently attacked by another pair wearing control devices, with multiple minutes passing before the owner of the animals was in range to subdue them.

“Our neighborhood, as well as Catawba College, has basically been held captive by these dogs,” she said.

Peggy Mills said updating the ordinance could “only be an encouragement for us and others who are dog walkers.”

Commissioner Craig Pierce moved to approve the change, and Judy Klusman seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

In other business at Monday’s meeting:

• The board approved a six-month moratorium preventing the expansion or development of campgrounds and RV parks.

The temporary ordinance will expire Feb. 6. The criteria for allowing these amenities under the county zoning ordinance has not been updated since 1998, and the land use plans for the eastern and western parts of the county neither considered nor provided recommendations for them.

Additionally, commissioners have placed renewed emphasis on promoting recreation and development potential at High Rock Lake. Residents near the lake have reported secondary problems associated with the parks such as trash, traffic, noise and sewage.

The county Planning Board will take the six months to study information on establishing and maintaining campgrounds and RV parks, prepare draft amendments as necessary and provide a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Amendments could be approved or denied after a public hearing on Jan. 22.

• The commissioners approved a family subdivision waiver for a sibling-owned property at 3580 Deal Road.

The waiver will allow the property to be divided into six parcels: five among siblings Randy Keith Goode, Joy Goode Melton, Sarah Goode Campbell, Tim Allan Goode and Kimberly Goode Nash and one 16.77-acre tract in joint ownership.

• The board appointed 11 people to eight local boards and commissions.

Appointees included Randy Baker and Aaron F. Goss to the Airport Advisory Board; Boyd Hardin to the city of Kannapolis extraterritorial jurisdiction board; John Bassinger, Tressy McLean-Hickey and Brandon Linn Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; Bobby Brown to the Local Emergency Planning Committee; Raymond McMilan Jr. to the Lock Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commission; Betty Mickle to the Rowan Public Library board; Charles Michael Julian to the Rowan Transit System Committee; and Norman Ribelin to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.