Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 01/08/2004 lra'"'t Care s.rr�' CCoity of rpus = Clhnsti .r�,■r City of orpus Christi MINUTES CITY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Administration Conference Room, 1702 Home Road January 8"', 2004 Members Present: Chris Cooper, Sherry Dunlap, Cheryl Martinez, Sharon Massad, Kendal Keyes, Susan Thiem and Dr. Alan Garret Members Absent: None Staff PrSsen t: Cherrie Stunz Staff Absent: Elizabeth Hundley guests: Ms. Barbara Urban Calf to Order: Chris Cooper, Chairperson, 12:30pm Aonroval of Dec—ember 111,,2003 The Minutes of December 111'was approved with amendment. Amendment The members absent at the last meeting were Cheryl Martinez and City Staff member Annette Rodriguez. The second on the motion to approve last month's minutes was Chris Cooper. With the amendments made, Ms. Martinez made a motion to approve the minutes. Sherry Dunlap 2"d the motion with all in favor, and none opposed the motion. The minutes were therefore approved. 1. Board Business In Home Ouarantine Ms. Stunz—presented a draft copy of what Animal Care Services is working on right now for Bite Case Reports to get ideas from the committee regarding this. As part of the procedure for In Home Quarantine, it would be at the discretion of the Animal Contral Advisory Committee Meeting of January 8''2004 Investigating Officer if he felt they would be able to have In Home Quarantine. The ACO Investigating Officer would then submit the Bite Case Report to a Supervisor for reason for denial or approval. This would be part of the procedure. If the Bite Case involved an immediate family member and they met all the stipulations, the Investigating Officer could go ahead and allow In Home Quarantine. Anyone outside of the immediate family would need the Supervisor's approval for In-Home Quarantine. Ms. Massad wanted clarification for when a neighbor was bit and the bitten neighbor said it was okay for the owner to have the pet Home Quarantined. Ms. Stunz replied that this was something that legal had approved; this may be done at Supervisor's discretion. The Investigating Officer would make the call to the Supervisor to go out to the location. In the paperwork there's a portion that requires a Supervisor's signature okaying in that a particular pet, home or incidence, could be approved for Home Quarantine. Of course, it would mean an extra step at that point. Ms. Dunlap questioned if this was a procedure that Animal Control had come up with? Ms. Stunz replied that this is a form that TDH provides to Animal Control and we in turn are incorporating information that we feel necessary, for our own record keeping purposes and procedures. Dr. Garett questioned why a family member would be required to call on a bite case of it's own pet? Ms. Stunz replied that it is not usually the owner that calls. If an owner needed to see a doctor, it is State Law that the doctor was required to inform Animal Care of the bite case. Ms. Stunz explained that she is currently working with legal on procedures for the approval of In-Home Qarantine, and the kind of procedures that would be necessary. Dr Silver's stated his concern for"in-house procedures"not being in place yet, especially that a supervisor would be available at all times when a final decision had to be made. Ms. Stunz replied that the ACO Investigating Officer could call the Supervisor, and explain the report thoroughly and could receive a verbal approval from the supervisor via the telephone. The supervisor could subsequently sign a report he had verbally approved, perhaps on the following day when the ACO Investigating Officer brings it to him. Ms. Stunz informed that ACS is coming up with a form that the owner would sign for the requirements that need to be met under Texas State law, before a Home Quarantine was approved. The owner would be made to understand that the privilege can be revoked if they were found not meeting the requirements of the law. Ms. Cooper inquired to know how ACS was going to know that the owner was complying with the law of Home Quarantine. Ms. Stunz advised that on the 11, 51 and 101'day the animal had to be taken to a Vet for check up. This is a requirement which if not met would mean the forfeiture of the privileges of Home Quarantine. Dr. Slivers added that when Home Quarantine is the option, an information sheet would be Anima!Contra!Advisory Committee Meeting of January r 1004 2 given to the owner for their signature. If they have signed to comply with all the rules and requirements for Home Quarantine, they will be expected to meet the rules. Ms. Martinez asked if it was a neighbor/relative bite case situation, shouldn't they be required to sign something saying this was okay for Home Quarantine, and also name the person who would be responsible to monitor that the dog was going to the vet on those days they were required to take it to the Vet. Ms. Stunz replied saying that was a good point and would look into the paperwork concerning that part of the Home Quarantine procedures, although she found out having asked specifically from other places that have in-Home Quarantine, and they did not have one. Ms. Stunz also added Animal Care Services will receive information from the Veterinarian that the pet was seen in the Vet office on those required days. Should it be found out that the pet was not taken to see the Vet, then we would have the authority to pick the pet up and Home Quarantine would be discontinued at that point. Ms. Stunz concluded that currently we did not have an ordinance that inhibited us from allowing Home Quarantine. Home Quarantine is what we would like to put back into place, and vote on. Mr. Cowling, a regular member of the public that attended the Advisory Committee meeting, had requested that we look into this, and this is why we are looking into it and taking the opportunity to tighten things up so we can offer Home Quarantine when all the procedures are place. Director's Resort No director's report was given. Manager's Report There was no manager's report. Public Comment Barbara Urban introduced herself as past Advisory Committee Member. Adjournment Cheryl Martinez made the motion to adjourn, Kendall Keyes 21 the motion, all were in favor. The meeting ended at 12:52 pm and procedures were adjourned till the next meeting on Thursday the 12t' February 2004. Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of January 8"2004 3