A Triangle assembler of irrigation systems is the latest manufacturer in the state to fall victim to the prolonged recession.

Hunter Industries has notified the state Department of Commerce that it will shut down its Cary facility this year and lay off 76 people. The planned closure was forced by economic conditions as the company is consolidating operations at its corporate headquarters in California.

The privately-held company selected Cary in 1990 for its East Cost manufacturing and distribution site and began operations here in 1992.

Hunter Industries, founded in 1981, specializes in professional irrigation systems for landscape contractors and golf courses. It employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, according to its web site.

Some people might get the impression that the Town of Clayton is more concerned about water consumption than animals. Sound ridiculous?

New rules require owners of new landscaping to obtain a permit if they want to irrigate more often than current rules allow. For the first offense, Clayton will fine you $250. If you tether a dog, the town will fine you $50 the first time. In other words, it is a worse crime irrigate new landscaping without the proper permits than it is to let a dog be chained to a tree outside for possibly several hours.

I don’t think the town intended for people to view the new ordinances negatively. But, for animal lovers like myself, the low violation cost sends the wrong message. I’ve never been a fan of tethering dogs. If you can, install a fence or dog run or keep them enclosed. Owners can crate-train their dogs if they do not want their dog running loose. If you need to tether the dog to wash the car or mow the lawn, that is fine. But leaving a dog tethered all day is unacceptable.

Of course, residents should obey the rules for irrigating new landscaping. But if you irrigate new landscaping without the permit on a wrong day, you get slapped with fines up to $500. You will also face the threat of your water being shut off for 45 days. Fines don’t get that high for animal cruelty. But perhaps, it is time they should.