HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 05/27/2004 ,.„ poufflo Cars S'r"%
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Corpus
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City of rpus Christi
MINUTES
CITY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District
Education Room, 2626 Holly Road
May 27",2004
Members Present: Chris Cooper, Sherry Dunlap,Cheryl Quinones,Dr.Alan Garett
Members Absent: Susan Thiem,Kendall Keyes
Staff Present: Cherrie Stunz, Elizabeth Hundley,Annette Rodriguez
Staff Absent: Marge Rose
Guests: Wilbert Haywood
Call to Order: Chris Cooper, Chairperson, 12:35pm
Board Business
City Ordinance Revisions
Ms. Quinones made a motion that we add the phrase"no giving away" in addition to-
exchanging,bartering,or selling.
Ms.Dunlap added that there was an appropriate wording given at the public meeting. Ms.
Hundley said a motion should be made, seconded, a vote taken,and then the committee can work
on the wording.
Dr. Garett said he considered that if someone wanted to give away because they could not assume
responsibility,it's not a bad thing. This is better than putting it to sleep.
Ms.Dunlap replied that during the public meeting,a lot of the public were opposed to the public
giving away at the grocery store etc.,she always went and spoke with such persons and took the
animals off them—letting them know to take the animals to Animal Control in the future,or call
her.
Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting of June 101.2004
Dr Garett added that the public perception of giving away dogs is because of the place this takes
place. Advertising in the newspaper for"free puppies" is still very acceptable.
Ms. Quinones made a motion that along with the ordinance of not selling animals in parking lots,
bartering,exchanging,the phrase"also giving them away" be added. Ms.Dunlap 2'all were
in favor.
Ms. Quinones informed the committee of a recommendation from the public to ask the police to
issue citation tickets instead of sending the sellers away. This deterrent will stop such sellers
from moving to the next corner. Ms. Quinones asked Ms.Hundley how this would work and the
kind of amount that could be set.
Ms.Hundley replied saying the maximum penalties are set by state law and not the ordinance
because this is a CIass C misdemeanor;minimum fines are assessed by the court, and tickets are
normally issued at the discretion of the officer. Ms. Quinones made a motion to add the
issuance of tickets to the ordinance. Ms.Hundley also said that this can presently be done,but
probably isn't because of the way the vending regulations operate. Ms.Hundley said an officer
can write a warning just like for a traffic violation, but he is not required to issue a ticket.
Dr. Garett added that with a new ordinance, the general public needed to be warned ahead of
time,possibly with a grace period.
Ms.Dunlap added that the next recommendation would be to add to the current ordinances,
including the breakdown that we had proposed for the major and minor permits in its written
form. Ms. Quinones added that the minor being accidental pregnancies and the major being
major breeders who breed their animal continuously. Ms.Dunlap added that there will be all
kinds of arguments but the option to turn over such animals to Animal Care Services if they
don't want the puppies or have the animal fixed will always be there.
Ms.Quinones replied that we could leave it as it is,with just the breeder's definition and the
amount of $200. Ms.Dunlap added that she did not think everyone should be categorized as a
major breeder,if they are only breeding one dog a year—not fair for that person to have to pay
$200.
Ms.Quinones made a motion that the major,minor breeders permit go into the ordinance. Ms.
Dunlap 2' the motion, all were in favor.
Ms.Dunlap also made a motion that the ordinances go to council for approval as soon as Ms.
Hundley can get them in their appropriate legal form. Quinones 21 the motion.
Public Comment
No public comments
Adjournment
Ms.Quinones made a motion to adjourn,Ms.Dunlap 2nI the motion, all were in favor and the
Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting ofJune hr.2004
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meeting ended at 12:50 p .
Anima!Control Advisory Committee Meeting ojJune W.2004