LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Board of Health on Thursday adopted a policy that would prohibit the adoption of pit bulls under 4 months old from the county shelter.

The policy discussion came as a result of several recent dog attacks, including one that killed a Lumberton 7-year-old. Bill Smith, director of the Robeson County Health Department, said there has been an average of one attack per month since the beginning of 2016. Three of the attacks were by pit bulls and one was by a German shepherd.

The policy states pit bull puppies that are too young to be spayed, neutered or receive rabies vaccinations will not be adopted out of the shelter, but could be given to out-of-state rescue groups. According to North Carolina Health and Human Services, animals have to be vaccinated and neutered by 4 months old.

Currently, adult dogs adopted from the Robeson County Animal Shelter are vaccinated for rabies at the shelter, but whoever adopts the animal is responsible for getting it spayed or neutered. Smith said adopters who take home a puppy are required to spay or neuter the animal at the proper age, but because it can be months before the animal can have the procedure, the adopter often does not follow up and the shelter often can’t find the animal to enforce the rule.

Under the policy, Robeson County Animal Control employees will determine by sight if the puppy is a pit bull or pit bull mix. Pit bull puppies, as well as puppies identified as American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American bulldogs under 4 months old will be turned over to out-of-state rescue groups that must provide proof that the animal was vaccinated and fixed at the proper age upon adoption. If the group doesn’t vaccinate and neuter the animal, Robeson County’s Health Department will not continue to work with them.

Dogs that are not adopted out would be euthanized if the county cannot find a rescue group.

Smith said the policy didn’t need to include German shepherds, rottweilers, doberman pinschers or other breeds sometimes considered vicious because pit bulls account for most of the attacks in the county.

Smith said the Board of Health didn’t have the power to outlaw ownership of pit bulls and pit bull mixes.

The Lumberton City Council discussed adopting a vicious breed ordinance during its retreat in early April. The council looked to Edenton for a model. Under Edenton’s policy, certain breeds are deemed dangerous and owners are required to register the dog with the city, have liability insurance and confine them to a pen or kennel at all times. Failure to comply can result in the animal being seized.

The council didn’t take any action, but asked the city’s attorney to draft an ordinance for consideration.

A pit bull attack in January killed 7-year-old Talan West and another attack in April resulted in a Pembroke woman, Linda Maldonaldo, losing an arm, according to Smith.

Tammara A. Jones, a member of the Health Board, said fliers or pamphlets should be available to anyone adopting a pit bull to warn them of the possible threat.

Kenneth Locklear, a doctor in Red Springs, told the board he has seen the result of pit bull attacks and agreed that educational materials should be available to the public. He offered to research, create and provide the material to the public through his practice.

“The only time we think about this is when someone gets hurt,” he said. “We need to educate the public.”

According to the Robeson County Health Department, 114 dogs have been declared vicious in Robeson County since 2012. Fifty-seven of those animals were listed as a pit bull or pit bull mix. Eleven pit bulls that weren’t included in the vicious animal statistic were euthanized for rabies testing, killed or died before being declared vicious.