HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 10/10/2002 Minutes
CITY ANDIAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMNUTTEE
Corpus Christi-Nucces County Public Health District
Administration Conference Room, 1702 Home Road
Oct lO,2002
Members Present: Chris Cooper, Sherry Dunlap,Alan Gaffett,D.V.M.,Chair-Gail
Hoffinan, Cheryl Martinez, Susan Thiern
Members Absent: Leonidas Botello
Staff Present: Dr.Boostrom,Annette Rodriguez,and Homer Martinez,Jr.
Guests: I citizen,Donna Patterson
Call to Order: Gail Hoffrnan,Chair,called the meeting to order at 12:32 p.m.
Sue yboes Report:
Status on new facility: Holly Road site facility is now 3 to 4 months behind schedule. The city
engineering department is working with the contractor. Update- will be available at the next
meeting. At the last meeting members requested a meeting at the new facility in November. After
checking with the engineering department we will not be able to have a meeting at the new facility
until the city engineers have approved the facility. The city attorneys are working to renew the
lease on the existing facility on a month by month basis.
The city staff is working on the proposed amendment to the city ordinance. There have been a lot
of public comments as well as letters sent to the Mayor and City Manager. Also this committee's
suggestions and recommendations have been put forward. The biggest issue seems to be the sale
of cats and dogs on' et comers. The language of the new ordinance will preclude that More
information will be given regarding proper care of animals. The Texas Board of Health is
publishing rules that would allow us to go to a 3-year schedule for rabies shots. This should
eventually take place.
Open Discussion:
Dr. Garrett said that about 5 or 6 years ago the head of the animal control at that time was Dr.
Clark and he spearheaded a drive to make it a requirement that an annual vaccine be a 3-year
vaccine. Another issue is coming before the legislature as to whether city or county health
departments can administer these rabies shots as well as the veterinarians.
A concern about the situation regarding animals that do not have shots was expressed. Puppies are
given away, and obviously do not have shots, and the recipient probably cannot afford to get the
shots.
Another issue raised was that the ordinance does not do anything about the sale of dogs. Staff will
work with the municipal court staff on the importance of some of the animal control issues. Susan
Thiem expressed her concern over enforcement of current ordinances and procedures for citizens to
follow. For example,what do you do if you see dogs in the back of trucks? Who do you complain
to? She stated that in addition to putting out information for the Public, we need to see the same
emphasis directed to the council expressing concern. We need to let the general public and the city
know that it is not solely up to animal control, even the police can observe these problems and
should act.
Animal Control can testify to the fact that they get Its daily from people who have bought puppies
on the street and the puppies have now died and they want Animal Control to do something about
it We should be able to follow up on these incidents. Some of the ordinances e.g.the dogs in the
back of trucks, are not being enforced. We should note however, that a lot of progress has been
made which is encouraging. This new ordinance will go a long way to helping the situation even if
it does not fully correct the problem regarding bartering animals on street corners. When the
ordinance is in legislative format and at a point where the city staff is ready for public comment, it
will be available for community and professional group review and comments. The council will
address citizens concerns in adopting a new ordinance.
Members asked if the citizens would be advised what this committee wants. The reply was that this
is what usually happens. That is very important,as there are some very irate people at the moment.
However these meetings are public, and so far no one has presented any negative comments. Two
issues that need to be addressed are; acting without public information; and not following up on
what this committee has been doing. Director assured the committee that staff would help resolve
those two issues.
A member stated the general public is against government once again getting money out of their
pncket. A few people are conscious about paying a fee for their license but most people are not
Most people who actually spend money to purchase a dog will then follow up with the shots
required. Of course dogs are not usually vaccinated prior to being sold or given away, so that
explains why there are so many dogs that are never vaccinated.
Dogs that are advertised in ad sac very often do not have the proper credentials, and it is hard to
check on that without appearing to be big government getting involved where they don't belong.
An education process should be promoted, give out the information regarding regulations, shots
required and other issues. Advice should be given about what to look for when buying a dog. How
to check if it is a healthy dog.
Dr. Boostrom asked if the advisory board could put an article in the ad sac with regard to education
tips and do this in conjunction with their pet ads. This could be very helpful.
As well as what to took for in a healthy pet, it needs to be pointed out what the prospective pet
owner needs. For example a place that has room to accommodate the dog, enough money to pay
for shots etc. If there are constant reminders to help educate the general public,eventually the word
will get out and things will improve.
Rabies Report:
No positive results for rabies. One bat was tested. Year to date two have tested positive for rabies.
Dr. Boostrorn added a comment about a recent incident involving a rabid bat. A rabid bat bit an
immigrant working as a caretaker, and this individual did not get their second shot. The health
department searched exhaustively for this person, and finally found this person who was then able
to complete the shots.
Animal ConsrolAdvisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
Other Items of Discussion:
Staff presented last weeks report for animal care and control facility. All agreed it was a good
report.
She had presented a copy of the migratory bird act and the are some thoughts that some
legislation could be proposed here for our city, restricting the time when the city trims the trees
around the,power lines, to avoid springtime when birds are nesting. Anyone who does gardening
knows not to trim trees in the springtime. A motion was entertained and seconded to propose to the
city that they observe these guidelines.
One member raised the issue that ash as this committee works on these ordinances,it seems that
we end up where we started. Another member disagreed with this premise, being a pet owner
themselves this committee has been both enlightening and info alive. Another concern was that
many board members are here specifically to represent an animal association,and maybe members
should not have other animal association interests. On the other hand it was mentioned that having
the type of background to be involved with other animal associations could be very beneficial to
this committee.
ProRosed Ordinances:
None
Other Comments:
One of the members commented that the Animal Control department,due to Dr.Boostrom's hard
work,has made a lot of progress in recent months,to which Dr.Boo expressed her thanks.
NeW Business
None
Old Business
None
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held Thursday,
November 14, 2002 at 12-30 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room of the Health
Department, 1702 Home Road.
Animal ConlrolAdvisary Committee Meeting Afimutes Page 3 on