HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 10/15/2009 r
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MINUTES OF THE 00 r i inulos
CITY OF CORPUS CHRIST
ADVISORY ANIMAL CONTROL
Nueces County Public I i tri
CITY JAS 2010
Education Holly c� ais
CE h Minutes for October 15th,
Members Present: Samantha Person,Helen sterbach,Cheryl Martinez,Barbara Beynon and Dr.John Buckley
Members sent: Dr.Bill Watson and Bill Schroeder
_Staff Present: Cindy Ramos
Staff sent: Kelli Copeland
Guests: Capt.John Houston,Cdr.Garza
1. Call to Order Dr.Buckley
Dr.Buckley called the meeting to order at 12:30
2. Approval of Minutes for_Sepipmber 17",2
Dr.Buckley made a motion to approve the minutes for July 2011,2009;Ms.Person 2rd the motion all h favor motion passed.
Ms.Beynon had a correction to the minutes under Shelter report first par.'Ms.Beynon added that Petco has a program also and
will get you information on this.' Should read Ms.Martinez instead of Ms.Beynon.
Ms.Martinez made a motion to approve the minutes,Ms.Beynon second the motion all in favor motion passed.
3. Approval of Absences for September 17*,20
Ms.Person stated that she was absent due to business. Ms.Martinez made a motion to approve the absence„Ms.Beynon second
the motion all in favor moflon passed.
. Committee Reports
oonosis Report
The Zoonosis Report was attached for viewing. Dr.Buckley noted that it was primarily bat related.Ms,Beynon asked if we knew
where the dog was In Nueces County that was decomposed. Ms.Ramos replied that Ms.Copeland would probably know the
answer she did not. Ms.Beynon asked Mr.Noble if knew the status of the dog in question. Mr Noble replied that he ddn t think
there was a rabid dog. Ms.Beynon added that it was just decomposed.Ms.Martinez added that it said it was investigated.. Mr.
Noble added that if it was decomposed then they wouldn't be able to determine whether it had rabies or not..
Ms.Taube explained to the committee that when we get results back on HFL they will specify no results due to being decomposed.
Ms.Beynon asked if it was in the City or the County. Mr.Noble replied that he wasn't aware of anything it was probably County,.
Shelter Report
Ms.Ramos informed the committee she was sitting in for Ms.Copeland. Ms.Ramos pointed out to the Committee the numbers for
the month of September 2009.
Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting October 15t ,2009 Page 1
The total for incoming animals were 608 and outgoing was 6 5. he total for Bite Cases was 46 and total calls for service 2,124.
Dr.Buckley asked about what kind of animals was under other for calls for service. Ms.Ramos replied that it could be coyotes,
skunks and opossums.
Ms.Beynon asked about what fell under other on the bite cases. Ms.Ramos replied she was not aware of what it would be. Ms.
Martinez that it could have been opossums,skunks or a bat Dr.Buckley asked if there were any snakes in the facility right
now.Mr.Noble replied not that he was aware of we only have the iguana. Ms.Martinez asked if you needed a place for the iguana.
Ms.Ramos replied yes.
Ms.Martinez asked if there was any other new usin s on the agenda. Ms.Taube replied ere were no items for new business.
The other items that would be on the agenda were left off unfit next month due to .Co land`s absence.
Clinic Rport
°Ramos informed the committee that there were surgeries for April 2009.
5. Unfinished i s
Discussion Cily Ordinances ing sale of pypples in pgrking tots and side of mad
Cdr.Garcia informed the committee that the ordinance s not being enforced; s.Copeland stated'in the email sent to ';said
at you guys were not in a position to enforce simply use you were understaffed and your guys were responding from Il to
call and you couldn't drive into a parking lot to issue a citation. That sounds fa iliac,we ing from call to call and the guys are
extremely busy. I don't have a problem enforcing it but I would ask that when your people and I you only have 1 officer on
Saturdays,and he is ing from call to call, I have more officers then that of course,but in the overall scheme of things it seems to
me at,well that's a kind of low priority call for us.An officer can enforce the letter of the law or the spirit of the call.I stand behind
my officers in having some i ti .
Cdr.Garcia also added that Ms.Copeland suggested in a recent letter that maybe my officers saw that as something that was less
then important or maybe that it was justified the action of not issuing a citation. And I don't know where she got that from and I wish
she was here to defend her letter because I don't feel like discussing it in her absence. ut In light of that comment you know that
my officers o out there and they may choose to issue citations or not. You know most of these folks out there are selling a dog on
the side of the road whether or not they are professional breeders are usually charging a pretty good amount of for these
dogs;anywhere from$1 DO-$200 dollars. I suppose sometimes it is less then that. It would seem to me if someone does commit to
buying an animal like that they are going to take care of it. I know here in this facility you guys require the dog be vaccinated. I took
a dog from here and also rescued e. You're probably not going to find a stronger animal lower then me.I have a lack Russell and
a Labrador. I love them both,t personally think that Michael li" should have been subjected to public flogging and s that he
s still in jail to be totally honest with you and I'm saying that as Jesse Garcia not as Cdr.Garcia of CCPD. But be that as it may I
have a tendency to think that if someone puts up money for a dog that their going get its shots,gets it vaccinated. And at least I
hope they are going to love it.
Now there are dogs going out there that aren't going to possibly be healthy;because of this and you've got breeders who are
looking at this as their main source of income. That's reality. But the flip side of this that I can also see when you look at some of
these figures they aren't very promising either. When you look at 608 incoming and outgoing 501;1 say outgoingleuthanizing,that is
a substantial amount of animals going out of here. Clearly it is a problem we can both work with. It is not up to me to say this
ordnance is bad.Clearly it is done with the best of intentions and I am going to commit resources to that. I want my officers to start
forcing that and I will Maw a stronger emphasis on this. This Is not new,people selling animals on the side the road can
create problem for all of us.
I think one of the biggest problems that Corpus Christi faces it pertains to animals is all of these gangsters coming up here
opting pit bulls. I bet you my pension that I can walk into your place and every other dog is a pit bull. Because these guys go out
there and adopt them and then they fight them and they think it is a pan of their image and they ignore the hell out of them.Then let
them loose and the animals and wander the street and I suspect the greater majority of them end up in the euthanized area.
Because people are afraid of them it seems like every time one of my officers have to shoot an animals it's a pit bull. I kind of feel
like am disappointed that Ms.Copeland is not here.I wish she been here so that we could have discussed this. I am here to hear
your concerns.I received a letter that was highly critical of my staff in that we are not doing enough. If you uys can tell me what
exactly you need from this,cause the bottom line is that there isn't a single city ordinance that is written that guys will take action in
the from of an arrest or a citation 1 %of the time. And what I am looking for your guys. What I am looking from this Committee is
a commitment going back the other way telling a that okay if you respond out there and you have an animal control officer that's
available that is right there that can respond,they issue a citation we will make sure everything is fine and off they go. When one of
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my officers has to go out and issues a citation,I am looking at a 3 hour call out on top of that. That really doesn't enter Into it. But I
want you to know this Is not a simple thing of on I am just going to issue a citation,
Ms.Madinez asked if she could Inte4ect to add that I am one of those who call on the weekends constantly, I have personally been
out there. I would say a responsible will not sell their animals on the side of them ;I spent a lot of time calling on
MoLhers'day about people buying the dogs. The one gentleman that was buying a Boston terrier also a mother and 6 puppies
said he was going to take them to animal control because his grand daughter didn't want them anymore use they were full
grown. So he was buying a Boston terrier. Even g they pay money for them a lot of these animals end up back in shelters, %of
the live animals that came through shelters all over the U.S.are pure breed dogs. Some of these are not responsible breeders;they
are what I call backyard ers. I see your problem and I understand. When I call they say' l'that's how often I CaIL
There are quite a few of us who call on the weekends. But what I see happening,I normally will stop and I will have the ordinance
with me,I carry it with m . I give it to them. Not all of them leave. I will then call dispatch the non emergency#and give the make
of the vehicle. They move elsewhere then somewhere else. That Is where the biggest problem is,they don't stop.
I understand you can't give everyone a citation.But if it is the same vehicle over and Win,then you have to do something.
Because I am driving around seeing them and also groups and rescues,we all call. Cdr,Garcia replied if you are responding to
what is advertised in the Ad Sack and in the Caller Times. Ms.Martinez replied no,the only thing on the Ad Sac,no I mean its,
impulse adoption is a lot different then what's in the paper, Because in the paper you make an effort to go see these people and the
animals;an Impulse adoption you see that cute puppy your might take it,get it home and say what did 1 o
It is a tot different situation. A lot of rescue groups don't take animals to the vet because they are fearful of impulse adoption. The
City does the same thing.That's just where I am coming from,just what I've seen. A lot of them just don't know. I will stop and ask
them do they have their rabies shots?They will respond no,and when I ask if they have any shots,they say no, These peolple don't
ally know what there doing. They are thinking,I've got a pure lab let me have some pup °es and make some money. And
they don't realize until they are into this and I'm telling them the economy is so bad now,people can't afford to buy animals and
you've got stuck with these 8 puppies that are the old,really big and a lanky stage,what do you do with them? That's what
makes it so difficult until they are stopped. But the people keep doing it;they are not going to stop. That Is one of the biggest
problems I see. Cause 1 sea the same people doing it constantly.And your guys,I have had very few of them that,they are pretty
good. I have talked with a lot of them and they will tell them they need to move on. They 't get a citation,but I think a citation
helps if they constantly keep doing it.And the peolple don't stop.How you are going to keep track of it I don't know. I'm putting that
t there.I do see the same people,the same vehicle and the same kind of dog and they are sitting in the same parking lot. I have
spoken to the owners of the buildings trying to get them to say'you can't be here. Even then It's hard for them to control that. IN
hard for your guys and Animal Control to do that. It's a very difficult situation, I don't know how many calls you get on the weekend.
But I know I always call,my friends calf. It is a big problem with the same people breeding over and over in. There not
considered responsible breeders. The responsible breeders in the area,I don't even think any of their animals even get sold in the
area,they are sold elsewhere.
Cdr.Garcia added that I have talked to some of the people out there in the parking lots and I have asked them weather or not they
had shots. They wind up telling me they have their shots,they have this and that. lt's hard for me,under those circumstances;you
are looking at some puppies that have had t heir dew claws done. They fell you this is what they've got. I suppose there are e
out there where the animal is required medical attention yesterday or a coupe of weeks ago. Cdr.Garcia asked Capt.Houston if
wanted to speak.
Capt.Houston introduced ims and stated that he was in a district that has a lot of people selling their dogs. I've got the whale
shopping district pretty much.Its an issue that goes back 11 years. I have been a captain in Patrol. You know a just trying to
make a dollar. They're selling dogs for 50 bucks,selling for 20;you got a guy running around selling radios out of cars and those
who sell sneakers on the curb on SPID. I mean everyone Is looking to make 50 cents.City ordinance says you n't park your car
on the City streets over night.How many neighbors would get a ticket if we started doing that one tomorrow?The entire city of C.C.
would get it. And I am sympathetic to these things. My wife would probably own an animal shelter if we had the money.We would
have more dogs then I have. But I think the problem is that I have what calls take priority.Rule#1 that is what I have to stress to all
y officers d .
Capt.Houston added take the priorities. The calls for service in the Community take the priority.Take the fights,the disturbances,
the shop lifters and thieves.27,000 cases in the last year. My offs are doing 350,000 calls for service, There is like less then
200 of us on the streets.We are short 19 officers today. We've got another class going on next year. Were struggling if anyone
saw the news the study says that the City hired 140 cops short.When the officer goes to the dog call and tells them get out. o!
But that guy may not be the same guy that makes the call when he moves to the next parking lot. But that's all we got.It's a whole
new district,We break the line at Staples. It's who's available.So right now there are 60 guys on the street.Any one of them can
make the call and then at 11 pm a whole new group comes an and then at 5 am another group comes on.It's difficult and I
understand totally where you are ming from. I just want to make sure that you understand that we're not saying anything like;an
my guys are never going to write a citation for someone who is down and out trying to make$50. We arrest homeless le;we
arrest people for aggressive pan handling. There are ain cases you just have to. We try to educate them,if they need a permit,
Animal vi Committee t ct 1 ,2009 Page 3
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if they have to fol!ow the ordinance and hope they go away. We try to warn a before you slap then with heavy ticket in these
times. We stop people for traffic lights;we tell them this could happen;this is how much the ticket is going to cost if you n't fix it.
We 'tissue a ticket every time we see somebody. It would be a really unfair--r system.We try to educate them. Maybewe
should stress it a little more than we do. These repeat ones 1 don't know who they are. We see them out there eveiry Saturday and
Sunday and I think maybe if we stress little bit more to the guys that if they,if we have warned them and we go back for a second
time,that its time to issue a ticket or two,maybe get a little press out of it. Maybe you guys talking to the media,press releases and
sticking them out where they can see it and remind people they can't do it without a permit. But what does it take to get a it?
Ms.Martinez replied that they can't get a permit for that.There is no permit. You 't get a permit to sell animals an the side of the
road,that's city ordinance.Capt.Houston replied that it says something about commercial property,right. Mr.Noble added that we
would not issue a permit to sell puppies out in a parking lot.Capt.Houston replied that I always have to remember that on Saturday
and Sundays it is the busiest time for CCPD. From 7 am in the morning when they go on until I get off about 4:30 in the morning
Friday and Saturday,you can join me if you would like a ride a long. Ms.Beynon replied no,that is the time I get up thank you.
Capt.Houston added that it is extremely difficult to police the city and the responsibility we have along with the side issues that
come u ,the dog issue in not a big issue, Moore Pla&s not dogs its aggressive pan handlers chasing women across the parking
lot. It's stealing from HEB;people are coming out of HES and having their purses ripped off. They have to focus t heir energy on
them. So I think what we will do is go back and talk to my Lt's and maybe stress a little more urgency is looking at it.Maybe hitting
coupe of people with citations that are repeat offenders at we gel called on routinely. Maybe ya'11 it you are talking to these
people,get a descripfion and license plate#of which these people you see and talk to and send it to me by email.Say hey I was
out and we saw these guys and I can pass on the information. I'm not guaranteeing anything.Ms.Martinez wanted to add if she
could a suggestion,when you're'telling these people to move along.Capt.Houston interrupted in letting s.Martinez know
that they don't argue with us. Ms.Martinez replied no i know they don't,but when y '11 tell them to move along can you tell then it is
a violat!on of the city ordinances.And you can't be doing that.
Capt.Houston replied that I tell them that myself. I've heard them tell them myself. We have them on the beach at spring break and
en we deal with animals. As I said to the Commander we unfortunately shoot quite a few.We also lase quite a few every week
and we pepper spray quite a few. Because it is a very bad situation;!Cs out of control in some areas. The dogs are used to attack
e police to protect drug homes. They are used a lot to protect drug homes. Vicious dogs are e of honor for anybody that in
the drug homes, That'just the way it is. And as I said we have to be very conscientious of that and like I said we will give it our best
effort.But 1 can't tell you how many times,11 years ago we gave it out best effort and it shows today.
There is always someone new min ;you know the mom and daughter and the dog unexpectedly had a litter and they don't even
know where it is. But the dogs are selling for a piece.They say pure bred is a lot more. Like I said we will give you our word we
will work on!t.I just can't promise you that there are any miracles in sight.Because when you call 9111 don't think y want my
officer in the Best Buy parking lot giving a lecture to someone about a dog when you that will cover it.But I and your daughter are at
home and somebody is kicking in your back door. That's where I have to keep my perspective of crime,But parking your car on the
street is crime.And we would be really busy if we had somebody in town who decided to complain about parking cars on the
street. And we do everyday someone complains about it. But is it a big issue,because there is an ordinance for just about
everything have in Corpus. There's something that will cover but I will commit to you and 1 will give you my card as the captain
of that district that has most of them.
Capt.Houston added that we will do our best to issue a couple of citations and then you guys get the word out through your
meetings and press releases through City Hall or whatever. And if they ask us we can say yes we have issued couple of citations
and we are in the future. Maybe that will slow it down a little bit.Maybe it will stop it for a just a moment or they will think about it
fore they go out in the parking on Saturdays.Maybe they'll do it at a later lime. There going to try to make money if they can. But
I think we can commit to you that we'll give it our best effort. But I can't promise you more than that.
Ms.Sterbach asked if she could ask a question really different.First of all I don't know about any letters written.I'm just a citizen
this committee and I appreciate the job the AC1's do and I appreciate the job the department. Something I have always wondered
about,it was probably 6 or 8 years ago there was an ordinance passed about dogs running loose in the back of pick up trucks.
Because you know there loose and in an accident they will go flying. Or they are thrown out going over the bridge to the Island. Do
you all ever write a citation if you have pulled someone over for another traffic offense and they've got a dog running loose in the
pick u7 Do ya'II even tack that on for an additional offense?I mean I can't imagine if you would stop just for that.
Capt.Houston replied that it's not a traffic offense,not a citation;it is a whole different form. A citation requires an offense,report,
the whole works.Most of the time there's codes. Lately I have seen quite a few leashed,it gives them a little more room than it
should. Ms.Sterbach replied that then their neck snaps when they go over the side.
Cdr.Garcia added that this pertains to a dog riding in the back is that quite often a pebble,rock or a stone will flip back and you will
have an eye injury.Just think about how many times day your windshield gets dinged. Ms.Sterbach replied that the other side is
at I as a fellow otorisl out there I don't like getting close to those vehicles. I 't know when a dogs going to go flying. I 't
Animal 1 Advisory Committee Meeting October 15t�2009 Page 4
want to see a dog get hurt.But I sure donT want her in my windshield either. Cdr.Garcia added that I can appreciate that. It's kind
of scary.I've seen some pretty bazaar stuff too. I was driving back from San Antonio and I saw a pick up truck that had like a tool
thing and the dog kept jurnong up back and forth.I thought he's fixing to fall off,but hew quite skilled at it.Ms.Sterbach
reiterated that it would be a separate form,a separate report. Capt.Houston replied that he didn't recall,I can't fell you when the
last time I saw something for that on the health its done quite a bit. On the National sea shore or our part of the beach it's done
quite abit. use we're a little more worked on the be then the city and because everyone takes their dogs and lets them
run. We have dogs attack each other. We have dogs be aggressive with people.We get a lot of complaints over the summer and
song break.
7. Public Comments
No public comments were made.
8. Identify items to be placed on the next agenda
Ms.Ramos informed the committee that Mr.Gould was supposed to be here but had to leave due to a family emergency.
Dr.Buckley added to revisit the discussion of the ordinances on the sale of puppies and dogs,
Ms.Martinez wanted to add a discussion for the Mutt Strult and also a discussion on the
Kuranda Dog Beds.
9. Adjournmen
Ms.Sterbach made a motion to adjourn,Ms.Martinez 2nd the motion all in favor motion passed. 1:15pm
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