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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
eces County Public Health District
Education oily Rd
July 8"', 2004
Members resent: Kendall Keyes, Sharon Massad, Sherry Dunlap, Susan Thie ,
Dr. William Watson, Dr.John Buckley, and Paul Reynolds
Members Absent: No absences
Staff resent: Cherrie Stunz,Jaime Luna,and Elizabeth Hundley
Staff Absent: No absences
Guests: Diane Simper, Donna Patterson, ;;end Joan Urban
Call to Order: Kendal Keyes, Co-Chairperson, I2:35pm
Approval of June "',
The Minutes of June 10"'was approved with the following amendments.
Under New Business " paragraph s. Dunlap said concerning the statement that "Animal Control
was not informed as to who the concerned citizen was by Ms. Dunlap and Ms. Quinones in order to
address the situation", - because of an interjection, the matter was not fully discussed, however, she
remembered that she had called Dr. Silvers, who had told her to give Ms. Stunz's cell phone number to
Ms. Anguino. This she said she did.
For the records, concerning the transfer of animals from ACS, paragraph 5 of New Business; Ms.
Dunlap said -Care does not adopt Pit Bulls or receive transfers of pit bulls from ACS.
In the I" paragraph of New Business, an additional sentence should be added that reads—"Ms. Massed
said there must be an environment where you can discuss things; in the absence of which anyone had a
right to communicate with City Council if they had to."
Absences
The approval of Ms. Thiem's absence was voted with 6 in favor and 1 abstention.
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2,1 Board Business
elcome and Introduction of New Members
Ms. Keyes introduced the new members as William Watson, DV M,John Buckley PhD, and
Z. Paul Reynolds. The City Staff and ACAC members introduced themselves to the new members.
Dr. Silvers used the opportunity to welcome new members and hoped that everyone would look at the
New Committee with the new members as a new opportunity representing a new day for the Committee
to do what it's really tasked to do. He went through Section 2-116 on the purpose and duties oft the
Committee. The functions of the Committee he said, is to work in unison with the City's Animal Care
Services with goals to teach people to be good pet owners, while doing all we can to help the people
who are endangered by animals, for example in cases of dog bites and also stray cats etc. Also to
educate people why they need to register their dogs, and to a certain degree protect against animals with
infections disease. This is what ACS and the Committee is trying to accomplish.
When the Committee takes action or is looking at something r. Silvers said he hoped that some of
those overriding principles are at the forefront. The Advisory o i ee to the Division of the Health
Department, is neither a Committee that represents the grievances of workers at the ACS nor a
Committee that analyzes budgets for furniture or how much was spent on o food or for that matter
what is used to ethaize animals. He said from his observation, the Committee had concerned itself
with things that were not its function. The task and purpose of the Committee is to cultivate public
knowledge and understanding to accept the need fort the services offered by the Animal Care Services
Division while acting as a conduit for us to get information out to the Community. As an at large
member or a representative of a specific entity in the Community the members of this Committee he
said, represent an ability for citizens in the Community to come to them and also to send information to
the Health Department regarding the ordinances, regulations and enforcement of same. He said being
a member of the Committee gives any member a special opportunity to say, for example"I'm on the
Animal Control Advisory Committee like to give a talk liere ...or I'd like to put your group
together with the Animal Care Services to sponsor sp yI euteri g program" etc. He sited all these as
examples of what the Committee can do and should be doing.
Dr. Silvers said he understood every citizen's right to make an open records request, however, it would
be nice to know how such requests benefited the Health Department, benefited the idea of getting
people to license their dogs,or taught people about animal cruelty or the difference between training an
animal and being cruel to an animal. This being at the Community needs a lot o , Dr. Silvers said
he expected and hoped such would be the focus of the Committee and not that of watch dog for the
Flea Ith a art e t or Staff He pointed out other Committees that were doing a great job like Food
Service and the Health Department are accomplishing some really good things in tile Community this
summer. The Community Health Board as well, Ire said, was a good Committee.
Dr. Silvers said lie always tried to be a listener and this was the most he ever said, but it was important
to speak to the Committee with the 3 new members, to get on the right track in order to function like
other Committees already do and have a future of accomplishments- He mentioned currently a request
he is having to deal with from Ms. ula 's open record request for"Invoices paid or unpaid not
limited to expense of animal control food for the period of ovem er to April 30"', daily payroll totals,
all veterinary expenses, all chemicals, dog and cat food, computer consulting, total's for temporary
employees..."
The importance of having a good relationship with this Committee he said, nneant he had to take this
opportunity as the Director of the Health Department to get everyone on the right foot. He requested
for questions or appointments with him to discuss further if necessary.
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Aside from all these, he wished this new Community a very profitable time and the establishment ofa
great working relationship with Animal Care Services to do a lot for the Community.
Kendal Keyes, determined last month as the Vice Chair introduced herself. Ms. Thiem said she was in
favor of keeping an acting chair for the time being, until the new members all knew each other and
everyone better to be able to vote for a Chairperson. Ms Thiern motioned to keep Ms. Keyes as acting
Chair for a few months. Dr. Buckley 2"d the motion and all were in favor.
i!y Ordinance Revisions
Ms. Hundley added that the Committee voted to add " o donations from commercial animal
establishmentoron commercial property" this was meant to address parking lots. She said the changes
will be done between meetings.
In F, no person may sell an animal or buy an animal from,or barter or exchange with any commercial
animal establishment that does not have a valid commercial permit. The wording requested to be
added was "give away, donate, or otherwise dispose of n animal upon commercial property" Parking
lots are included in this new definition of commercial property.
On the inclusion of"breeders permit"she paraphrased to separate or differentiate major and minor
breeders. It presently states that a major breeder's permit shall be obtained by one or any person who
intentionally or accidentally causes the breeding. She said the same wording appeared fora minor
breeders permit, making it difficult to distinguish between both,even though the major breeders permit
would be $200. She said there must be a distinguishing difference. Ms. Massad made a motion to
take out major/minor breeder. Ms.Thiem wondered if the Committee could be more practical since
this has gone on for 2 years.
Ms. Stunz was asked for her comfort level and opinion with this. She stated that as always, she would
help the Advisory Committee research anything as part of her job, but would not be for or against any
motions or intents of the Committee. Dr. Silvers said Ms. Stunt was allowed to give her personal
opinion or critique an issue or motion as the Division Manager. Ms. Stunz said site personally felt the
breeders permit at this point was unenforceable because ACS needed to get back to the basics of
building a foundation, while enforcing the legal issues surrounding stray roaming animals. She said the
Breeders Permit was uniquely difficult and she herself had not been able to come with something,even
though unenforceable,she was not opposed to the idea or the concept.
Dr Buckley then added that his understanding of the reading of the minor breeder's permit as it
presently stands does not address what citizens were required to do and the penalty if they don't—
presumably for ACS to put a notion of penalty in or control over the breeding of animals. Major
breeders may comply, but others may not.
Dr. Watson said a pet owner cannot be forced to do something can be prevented from breeding or
selling a dog. FlefeittlieCityshould concern itself with breeders of or 7 dogs, who sell them at the
HEB or Wal-Mart parking lots. These are the ones to go after and not a citizen who has 4 dogs in their
backyard and had a litter twice or the kennel club, or the cat club people who already have their own
standards. Fie sited the Humane Society, Pals, and the City are as guilty as anybody if one can get a
dog for$65 with its shots and everything but if that animal got sick it ended up on the on the street. It
was available for$60, but it would cost $200 to treat for heart worms. The board, the City and GCHS
need to look at making low cost pet health care available.
Ms, Thiem agreed with Dr Watson..
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Ms. Massad said this can be entertained if(fie language was right. Ms. Hundley said the language could
be worked on if this was what the Committee wanted. There needs to be an intent, definition of who is
a Minor and or who is a Major breeder, and also the animals this would embrace- dogs, cats or
hamsters, goldfish, finches, Ferrets, and canaries are they included? Ms. Hu ley said the Committee
needed to deliberate if this was something they wanted to consider by tabling it within the next 30 days.
Ms. Keye's added that she did not want to consider it anymore and made a motion to kill the matter. It
was voted 6 in favor and 1 opposed. Ms. eye's added that a sub-Committee could work on this and
bring a finished product to the Committee.
Ms. Massad made a motion to rernove certain definitions on the permit because the definition was not
appropriate since it said that one litter in one year, is a breeder, and at the town meeting, it said breeder
meant any person who owned or kept one or more animals within the city that produced offspring
which are sold to purchase, buy, barter or exchange with any other person. This term does not include
those persons who own or keep an animal that has reproduced less than 2 times in a 2 year period. That
meant that if I dog, I cat, were bred one time-that's all that was permissible for 2 years, then you
would have to buy a permit. Ms. Massad made a motion to take the breeder definition out of the drafts.
The motion failed.
Ms. Massad agreed to send it to City council and Ms. Thicin reminded her that there was no real follow
up to it just yet, since it was just a definition.
Ms. Massad added that there was already a permit requirement. Anyone who was a breeder and paid
the permit was fine, but to keep from making holders of such permits to become commercial breeders
the $200 permit hike was a problem. Ms. Stunz asked for legal clarification For a breeder as it appears
on the current ordinance under commercial permit breeders if it remained as the current$200 for
breeder under commercial. The present ordinance has no breeder definition therefore the question - is
will we continue to have the new definition of breeder to pay the$200 fee under commercial? Ms
lndley replied that this would be the case unless the Corn ittee took it out.
Ms. Hundley said it could be presumed that breeding became by definition a commercial activity.
Dr. Silvers added that conceptual changes should be discouraged as the ordinance would continue to e
modified anyway if there were problems when enforcement started. At that time, it would be brought
back to the Committee to work on such specific pieces of it. The size of it right now is quite big with
lot of pieces, and it would not hurt for new members to have one last look at it, hear From the old
members, come back to the Committee and propose workable ideas. The ordinance is not set in stone;
it's always liable to change. He advised on using Ms. Stunz as a resource.
Dr. Buckley mentioned that lie had some questions on the details on the breeders permit. Ms. Hundley
replied that she would like the new members to look at it because essentially the people that are going
to be asked to pay the fines are not the people that are letting their dogs run loose and having babies all
over the place,but the responsible pet owners.
Ms. Hundley added that on Pg. 7 where the regulations were inserted, the old -16 is now 6-X X. The
definition for kennel now matches the zoning ordinance definition for kennel almost word for word, but
the zoning ordinance included horses. Separate provisions in the animal ordinances address stables that
the zoning ordinance did not address. The zoning ordinance does not have an inclusion of horses but
we need an exclusion For horses in this chapter because we have separate provisions that address
stables.
MS 1 lundley explained to the Committee that a person although a breeder maybe exempt From a
commercial animal permit; they can obtain a temporary permit to sell animals.
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We have a temporary permit for the sale of animals. A person wishing to legally sell on the side of
the road, currently can go to city hall and purchase a Vendors permit and afterwards come to ACS and
purchase a temporary permit. They have to obtain one of these. Ms. Massad asked if they needed to
have a breeder permit to sell on the side of the road. MS. Stunz replied that the breeder permit has
never had a definition to it. Ms. Hundley added that she will look into the `Sale on the Road'
generally the City does not allow vend that way. Ms. Stunz then added that this is the reason why no
one had ever obtained a breeders permit.
Ms Massad then inquired if with the new breeders permit, the $200 was going to be based on the agree
definition? Ms. Flu ley replied in the positive. The Committee has never addressed why rabbits had a
separate permit for breeding and sale.
a ace 's Renort
Field Report
Ms. Stunz said ACO Hernandez the Field Supervisor is teaching a class in Harlingen and as a result was
unable to attend the Advisory Committee Meeting. Update on field services, sweep areas and field
problems will be presented to the Committee for feedback. Jaime Luna, the Kennel Master has
oversight of the kennels and was available to answer questions.
Facility Update
Chameleon was still presenting with human error problems because of the way the data is inputted into
the database. With a lot of adoptions and euthaizing of animals the numbers somewhat went askew,
probably because of incorrect programming or human error, or both. Reports presently being generated
are incorrect and a little more time is required to get this straightened out.
Administrative HSa—rings
Ms Stunz said ACS has administrative hearings that deal with unprovoked animal to human ites and
uncontained dangerous animals. For a `lack of teeth' it has not been easy to get an effective message
out across to individuals. Ms. Stunt distributed San Antonio's Dangerous Dog Ordinance to the
Committee to study and see some of the beneficial points that Corpus Christi could exploit to combat
some of the local problems being experienced with neighbors not containing their animals. She
promised to get with legal to discuss some of the issues. Judge Rank who has oversight of the
environmental court is also presiding overt the administrative hearings, and has been very helpful since
the environmental court began in the city.
New Business
Ms. Massad inquired from s. Dunlap her motive in making a request to City Hall fora en records
concerning ACS. Ms. Dunlap replied that she was exercising her citizen rights as a tax payer and a
business owner in the Community and was not representing herself as an Advisory Committee member.
She said she had requested budgetary/financial information in the past through the Advisory
Committee. She also stated that the former Assistant City Manager Mr. Jorge Cruz- Aedo, had ae
this information available and she would like to see this brought back.
Old Business
Ms. eye's requested a report of what happened at the Town Hall meeting.
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Dr Silvers spoke. The Health Department supplied the location for the meeting, but the meeting was
for the Committee to hear what the public had to say on rinnces. He invited Committee member in
attendance that day to speak.
Ms, Keyes familiarized new mernbers with what was going on.
Ms. assn 's comment on the Town Hall meeting was that it was irrelevant, rushed into, and little
notice was given for it. There were no attendances from organizations like the "Cat people","Ferret
people"etc. She didn't feel there was a good turn out because there wasn't ample notification to the
public. The public was forthcoming with the problems that they see the Community as having, but did
not want solutions to affect them adversely. People wanted the puppy sellers off the street and the back
yard breeders that are giving them away too. Everyone in attendance wanted something done about the
cats that were running everywhere and there were more complaints about cats.
Ms. Massad said she heard that everyone was glad that ACS was having sweeps. Dr. Silvers
suggested at this point going to public comments from a bers of the public who attended.
Public Comment
Ms. Joan Urban addressed the breeder permits issue by stating that she did not feel they would work,
having been tried in small and large cities all over,and it just did not work. But what they have found
out does work is to have responsible pet owner education. She said she could visualize TV spots that
were educational showing dogs and cats and why they need to have them on a leash is because there
is a leash law and fines will be imposed if the dogs were picked up. Ms. Urban was on the Committee
for 7 years in the past. She said in the past, the municipal court waived fines and owners of animals
running at large did not get penalized for it. She said the cats were a whole different subject, equally
difficult.
Ms. Dunlap inquired if ACS currently used darts?ACO Luna replied that this was done with dogs but
not cats, Ms. Urban stated that the issue of breeding was not so much about money, but that the dogs
were not even pure breeds. She would like to see 'breeder' re ove from the ordinance and ore
enforcement of the present ordinances, She said concerning the rabbits that it was felt during her time
that bunnies were okay to be sold in the City for Easter. Later on, it was discovered that it was a very
bad idea,
Ms. Donna Patterson from l Coast Humane Society said she looked forward to more progress and
admitted to something being done about people at Street comers and Parking lots selling.animals.
However, she said PALS, -Care and GCHS made sure all animals that left their facility was spayed or
neutered. This she ,said had made some good impact. She agreed to enforcement and education as
extremely important, hoping that the Committee can go forward in those areas.
Ms. Urban asked if the animals that came into and left ACS could be identified in some way. The
identification of animals, is still an Issue to which Dr. Watson added that there are different companies
for different manners of identification.
AdhRERMOA
Ms, Massad made the motion to adjourn, Ms. Keyes 2°`°'i'the motion, all were in favor. 1:53 pin
bun confrol Nclwswy C omnlairee %'dlew.fing arffii/.Y d!u"fi 200.1 �C'
Laura E. Robinson, DVM,MS 601 W. Sesame Drive
Greg Pye-Zoonosis Control Specialist TeKaS'" Harlingen,Texas 78550
Letty Tamayo-Administrative Assistant Office:(956)444-3224 FAX:(956)4443287
Texas Department of Health
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PUBLIC HEALTH REGION 11 � MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
2004
[Fd"
q
Positive Rabies Cases
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Y,r" �w°”"°.,,.,..,,
RABIES REPORT .........
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,„,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, . ,,,ucA+ulll,n,,,,,,,,ILrre a:P Y 1..........� Rel�
2004 2003 2002
JANUARY 0 0 0 ,
FEBRUARY 0 0 1 santaatn®o c
u
4'detD kuee?s
ARCH 2 3 4 „,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
APRIL 3 2 4 „I
MAY 0 1 a ..,, „
JUNE 5 1 0 Zapata ��” t' ors
TOTAL 10 7 9 ...............................
Start
Hjallgo
During June, five rabid bats Cases by Species " •
...... p g k„ CurrefM
were reported in Region 11 from "°�., .................T',
Webb County. ne destroyed • at-s
tY•
opossum from Refugio County and III Dog-1
one decomposed bat from Bee County were also W A04 W 4 E
investigated. s
ANIMAL !
REQUIREMENTS
POSITIVE RABIES CASES The mandated Animal Euthanasia Training
Requirements will become effective January 1,
CASE DATE COUNTY SPECIES 2005. In order to be in compliance with the
6 06/07/04 Webb Freetailed bat Texas Health and Safety Code, Treatment and
7 06/07/04 Webb Freetailed bat Disposition of vi al , Section 821.055,
8 06/28/04 Webb Freetailed bat person may not euthanize an animal in the
9 06/28/04 Webb Freetailed bat custody of an animal shelter unless he/she has
10 06/28/04 Webb Freetailed bat successfully completed a training course in the
proper methods and techniques for euthanizing
OTHER RABIES RESULTS animals. The requirements for animal euthanasia
and a listing of TDH-approved euthanasia training
DATE COUNTY SPECIES RESULTS courses are available on the Zoonosis Control
06/01/04 Refugio Opossum Destroyed Division's website:
06/14/04 Bee Bat Decomposed
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/animcont/
e ut hanasi a.as p
VISIT US htt 1! "r1i.tdh.state.tx.us/services/zoonasis.htmI Pubkatlon#57-10768 ,1
ZOONOSIS CONTROL PHR 11 PAGE 2 ............ . JUNE 2
TACA SEMINAR
The Texas Animal Control Association's
(TACA) West Texas Seminar will be held August
23-24, 2004 at the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo,
Texas. Topics include: poison prevention in
animals, basic cruelty investigation and legal
issues/search and seizure.
The registration fee before August 16th is $50 for 1 '
TACA members and $85 for non-TACA members. a
Animal Control Officers can earn up to 9.5 CE d
hours. For registration information call TACA at
1-800-324-8503 or email tacaexsc @lcc.net 5 U t']'1 M el r
TDH LABORATORY-CONFIRMED RABID ANIMALS
PUBLIC HEALTH REGION 11- 2004
COUNTY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN TOTAL
HIDALGO BAT-1 BAT-1 2
WEBB DOG-1 BAT-2 BAT-5 8
TOTAL 0 0 2 3 0 5 10
Uefend Yourself Aomainst West Nile virus
Remember the "Four D's" for your defense against exposure to mosquitoes:
-DUSK/DAWN are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when infected
mosquitoes are most active.
-DRESS in long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection, you may want to
spray thin clothing with repellent.
-DEFT (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is an ingredient to 'look for in your insect repellent. Follow label
instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors,
-DRAIN standing water in your backyard and neighborhood — old tires, flowerpots, and clogged
rain gutters. These are mosquito breeding sites.
Fewer than 1 percent of those bitten by infected mosquitoes become severely ill. If you have
symptoms that include stiff neck, high fever, or severe headache, contact your health-care
provider immediately.
Defend yourself against West Nile virus
www.texaswestnile.org - 1-888-883-9997