PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Pender County approved a plan to add new rules in regards to owning dangerous wild animals in the county.

They decided to add an “inherently dangerous wild animal” section to the current animal control ordinance.

It states that it’s against the law for anyone to own a dangerous wild animal, with the exception of being part of a zoo, fair or other temporary event.

Animals already kept in the county will be grandfathered in, but must be registered within 90 days.

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Many leaders from the Carolina coast are back home Thursday after a few days in the nation’s capital.

Representatives from New Hanover County and its three local beach towns, along with other coastal communities, gathered in Washington D.C. for the NC Water Resources Congress.

In addition to the planned events, attendants take the time to meet with members of the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Representatives and Senators.

Carolina Beach Mayor Bob Lewis said Thursday that the time spent in Washington is meant to remind decision makers about the important of coastal concerns like inlet dredging and beach nourishment.

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HAMPSTEAD, NC (WECT) - Pender County Commissioner David Williams says he helped to stop a vandalism suspect. Williams tells WECT he was passing the Kiwanis Park around 10:30pm when he noticed two vehicles leaving the park quickly. One vehicle drove away, but a second vehicle pulled into the parking lot and started to do donuts.

He says he thought it was strange since the park has had vandalism incidents in the past, so he parked his car to block the entrance. Even though the suspect's vehicle got away, Williams says he was able to stall the vehicle long enough to get the license plate information, and help authorities identify the suspect.

Williams says the full amount of damage to the park isn't known yet, but says the county will be seeking restitution.