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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 04/11/2002 Minutes CITY ANIMA,.., CONTROL ADVISORY JMMITTEE Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Administration Conference Room, 1702 Horne Road April 11, 2002 Members Present: Barbara Airheart,Denny Bales,Chris Cooper,Dr.Alan Garrett, Gail Hoffrnan,Chair. Members Absent: Susan Thiem j, Staff Present: Dr.Nina M. Sisley,Jeff Beynon, Jo Ann Dominguez, 1P Homer T.Martinez,Jr.,Lana Taylor Guests: Jorge Cruz-Aedo; Sherry Dunlap;Donna Patterson,Gulf Coast Humane Society; Cheryl Martinez,Pee Wee's; Channel 6 News. Call to Order: Gail Hoffman, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. The minutes for the March 14, 2002 meeting were approved as written. Ms. Hoffman introduced Homer T. Martinez, Jr., Health Education Specialist- Animal Control, who gave a synopsis of his responsibilities and plans to educate the community about the humane treatment of animals, and the necessity of a low cost spay/neuter program. Attendance Review: Dr. Sisley reviewed the attendance roster with committee members. All members were in good standing. Supervisor's—Report: Jeff Beynon recounted the March monthly report. The overall numbers of animals impounded increased. Bite cases decreased. Adoptions and redemptions decreased. Citations issued decreased. Euthanizations increased.Two dogs came down with distemper in the kennels. Rabies Renort: Given by Jeff Beynon. In Region 11, during March, four rabid bats cases were reported in Webb County. Dr. Sisley added that, in April,a rabid bat had been found in Nueces County. Open Discussion: Dr. Garrett advised that the State is in the process of holding hearings on changing vaccination aspects for dogs and cats. Veterinarians are now required to use a 3-year vaccination, and the state is looking at 3- year vaccination program versus the 1-year vaccination currently in use. A hearing will be held in Harlingen on May 13`x'. New Business: Ms. Hoffman said that she, Dr. Sisley, and Jeff Beynon met with Mayor Neal, David Garcia, City Manager, and Jorge Cruz-Aedo, Assistant City Manager, to give them our opinion on the economics and humane treatment of animals during the euthanization process. The Committee discussed the aspects of euthanization by carbon monoxide gas versus lethal injection. Dr. Garrett stressed that anyone doing injection euthanization must be extremely accurate in injecting the fluid,as any fluid spilled outside of the vein would cause the animal excruciating pain, whereas the gas would render an animal brain dead in less than 45 seconds, with pulmonary death in 2-3 minutes. Ms. Patterson asked if there was a maintenance schedule for the gas chamber. Mr.Beynon stated that there was not a maintenance schedule, because it would be costly and is unnecessary due to the fact that there are very few things that break on a chamber.Mr.Bales spoke on the spay/neuter program and stressed(1)pickup and release rather than pickup and kill, (2)Animal Control could install a crematorium at the new facility, and (3) the need for Animal Control to be proactive rather than reactive. Dr. Garrett suggested that a no cost spay/neuter program could be accomplished by the use of veterinary students supervised by a Veterinarian. Sherry Dunlap suggested the Committee should travel to other cities, such as Austin and Houston, which have successful animal control and spay/neuter programs, to view their operations. The Committee decided not to make a general resolution at this time. Mr. Cruz-Aedo stated there was a 90-day timeline to inform the City Council of the Committee's recommendations. Old Business: None. Ad'ournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m. The next meeting will be held Thursday,May 9, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room of the Health Department, 1702 Horne Road.