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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 03/18/2010 RR EE CUE-1V-ED 0*8w cam AUG cc it�y 0 f f SE Chnsti Cffy SECRETARY'S OFFICE hJTY��j City o orpus C �5 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd The Minutes for March 18th, 2010 Members Present: Dr.Bill Watson,Bill Schroeder,Helen Ste ac ,Cheryl Martinez,Barbara ynon and Samantha Person Members Absent: Dr.John Buckley Staff Present: Keili Copeland Staff Absent, none Guests: Ms Connelly and Ms.Schmidt 1. Call to Order: Or,Watson ca1ed the meefing to order at 12-30, Dr.Watson noted that everyone was present for the meeting for the excepton of Dr.Buckley. Ms.Beynon informed the committee that she would not be at then t meeting due to business 2. Discussion and possible Approval of Minutes from Februa!j 18th,,2010 Ms.Martinez amended the minutes on pg.2 par.2:read as Ms.Marfinez informed the committee that Ms.Martinez spoke at the council meeling.It should read'MS.Copeland informed the commiftee'.Ms,Martinez also amended the sentence in the same par read as;the issues of are vacant positions and was glad to see that.It should read;the issues were vacant positions and were glad to see that. Ms,Beynon amended the minutes under item#6 for Review and Discussion of revisions to Chapter 6 of the City of Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances Animal Care and Control. In the first par.3 line it makes reference to the fact that the revisions were going to include rabies,feral cat colonies,definition changes and the breeder permit.Ms.Beynon added that the minutes accurately refl ect what was said,but what was said was not correct and would like to make a correction to that use it is a public document, Ms,Copeland added that Ms.Martinez has spoken to the kennel club and that they would give us some input on the information for the breeder permit.Ms.Beynon slated that no one has come to speak to the Kennel Club about the breeder permit.M&Martinez replied that she had spoke with Ms.Joan Urban.Ms.Beynon asked when this took place.Ms.Martinez replied that she had spoken with her before the last meeting and also spoke with her 2 nights ago. Ms.Beynon replied that the Kennel Club themselves has not been contacted,You may haves ken with a member,you may contact me at any meeting,but that doesn't' can that you have made contact with the Kennel Club and would like to make that clear. The Kennel Club has not been contacted by anybody except me in regards to this issue. Mr.Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes,Ms. ynon the motion all in favor moflon passed. 3. Discussion and possible ARproval of Absences from February 118th.2010 Dr.Watson informed the committee that there were no absences at the last meeting, 4. Discussion of Monih!X&pods Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting, March 18'h 32010 X QU[Mnt ZoQnpsfs Rep2rt Dr.Watson informed the committee that the Zoonosis Report was attached for viewing. Ms. Beynon asked if the item on pg 3s Attention School Administrators, Faculty and Nurses! Is anyone was going out to the schools. Ms. Copeland replied that this is from the Department of Health and State Services and I'm sure they are sending it out to them, it's not our responsibility. Ms.Beynon replied that is good because it sounds like a good idea. B. Current Shelter Rep rt Ms. Copeland informed the committee of the total numbers for the shelter. The total amount of incoming animals was 745. The return to owners was at 5%with 47 as the counL The were a total of 589 euthanized.Ms.Copeland added that the numbers are about the same as we have had in the past months. Ms.Copeland informed the committee that Dr.House is out for most of this month which will help us save some money.We had a veterinarian come in to do some vaccinations on a volunteer basis. We are trying to use her as a temp,but she can't do surgeries until we get her hired so there have been no surgeries. Ms,Copeland pointed out that the total of Bite Cases was 69.This count will probably go up since summer is approaching. The total calls for service was 2,133. Ms, Beynon asked if we were losing the velermanan. Ms. Copeland replied no, het some time off this month to save us some money because the funds being low. Ms.Copeland added that eventually he will be leaving;his goal is to go to St Croix. With getting a temporary Yet lined up is a good thing, Dr.Watson asked if we have always had more animals being dropped off then being picked up. Ms. Copeland replied those numbers are going up. Ms.Schenzel was telling me the other day that the opossums have gone down and the numbers of cats have increased, Ms Beynon asked if we were still picking up the trap opossums and cats.Ms.Copeland replied yes. Ms.Beynon asked it the number of feral cats being trapped going up and this doesn't include the trap alter release program.Ms.Copeland replied that she didn't have a report and not sure if I can build one with Mr.Noble being gone but will look into it. Ms.Beynon added that she was curious with the opossums going down, wonder if people are not trapping the and the cats are taking over. M&Copeland replied that she felt that with the cats you have the people that feed them and now they are not due to finances.Also you have probably more cats getting into the traps then they use to C. Current Clinic Rport Ms,Copeland informed the committee that there was a total of 144 spay and neuters for the clinic in the month of February. S. Discussion and gkdate on Cky of Comas Chdsd Animal Care Service Vac cinaflon Clinic Ms.Copeland pointed out to the committee that for the last 3 weeks we didn't have the clinic and we will be starting up again next week, Ms. Copeland added that we were able to secure more funds to keep the vaccination clinic running.Also with Dr. House being out is helpful to make things last longer. We should be okay to continue thru the rest of the year. Ms.Beynon asked if that was the calendar or fiscal year. Ms.Copeland replied the fiscal year. Dr.Watson asked if Dr.House leaves will the substitute Yet have the possibility of becoming our permanent one.Ms.Copeland replied that she is a retired Yet and she actually came to us wanting to volunteer. There was an issue with the City trying to work out with a volunteer doing surgery and handling the drugs. We went back and forth with this and asked if we could hire her, Ms. Copeland added that she is not interested in doing anything full time, But she would be interested In helping us gel Ihru until we found another one.She is very conscientious she worked for the Humane Society in Ohio and she also worked for Houston Zoo, She is a very sharp lady. Ms.Martinez added that whenever Dr.Housed s leave so will M&House his Yet tech. 6® Public Comments Ms.Christine Connelly introduced herself as a member of the Kennel Club.Ms.Connelly pointed out at the meeting last night for the Kennel Club Ms.Urban did bring forth that message which Ms.Boynon was not aware of. I also just spoke with her and on her behalf wanted to relay that she did contact AKC after receiving the paperwork from you and she did bring that information to the meeting last night. It was not the revised version but the one she originally got.AKC strongly opposes that particular item and that was recommendation for our club as well at the meeting last night, 2 Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting, are 18"', 2010 M& 6eynon asked if this was all done since the last meeting we have had.Nis.Connelly asked if you are talking about what had transpired. Ms.Beynon replied yes,Ms.Martinez added that she had contacted her before the last meeting and I did talk to her about it. Ms.Urban and I have talked since then she called me and asked if she could give it to them, Ms. Martinez added that she had called Ms.Copeland and she said yes,Ms.Urban called me a few days ago then told me you all would be having a meeting and she had already talked to City Council about it. Ms,Beynon added that what I am saying is as of the last club meeting which was last night.Last month the kennel club meeting was the night before the meeting here and at that time there had been no discussion. The minutes reflect the past tense which means it had already happened and it had not happened s of the last meeting that we had here a month ago.It had happened since that is all I am trying to say. Ms.Copeland interjected to say that I don't want this to be a battle. I do understand that you oppose it and I encourage that. I explained to M& ynon that when we submit the ordinance for review for the Advisory and to City Council I will be doing it in pieces.The reason I'm going to do it in pieces and because I want everyone to have their opportunity to speak to each of the issues. Then when we put it up before City Council they will make their decision based upon what everybody tells them. I hope that you all will be able to be there and make your views known. I don't feel there is any reason for anyone to be upset with anyone.I don't feel there is any intent to mislead anyone or anything else.I have said this before and I will put forward what I feel is absolutely best for the City and the animals in the city. if it gets shot down it will get shot down.I have no problems.Ms.Connelly asked who was speaking, s.Copeland introduced herself as the Manager for the department. Ms.Connelly asked for clarification on information she had heard about spay and neuter clause being dropped or is no longer on the table.Ms. Copeland asked her to explain, Ms. Connelly replied that there were Issues;one at the breeder permits issue and spay neuter issue. Ms. Copeland replied if she meant the mandatory spay neuter.Ms.Beynon added that it was in the information that you sent Ms.Urban,The very first sentence said; 'all dogs and cals in Corpus Christi under the age of 4 months shall be spayed and neuter It doesn't get any clearer than that. That is the document you sent.That is not what came from Animal Control,We discussed it and you had said that issue was not on the table, Ms,Martinez replied that there have been a fat of changes of what I had given s.Urban. Ms.Copeland added that she wanted to explain the process. At this time what I have done is that I have pulled ideas from different cities and put them together. I will be going thru this and decide what is t,there may have been something left in when I pulled the cut and paste and I do apologize. Ms. Copeland added that she against the mandatory spay neuter.As I was lainin to Ms.Seynon the other day I believe that breeder pe its are part of the puzzle and I know you don't agree. I believe that it is only one pan. I encourage your input, if there is discussion and you can email me any information. a will be able to come up with something that will adequately help control the pet population in the city. I hope that everybody at the Kennel Club would do that,would look at the issues in the City and come up with ideas and send them to me. You can call she,my door is always open.There have been a lot of changes in the last 3 years and hopefully in the next 3 a lot more will change and we w�,Il be a e to fix the problem.If nothing else even if the breeder permit doesn't go forward,if it doesn't pass. If nothing else there will be discussion and relationships form. That Is the most important thing;when I came here I asked over and over I need volunteers. In all honesty Ms.Martinez, Ms,,Person and Ms. Massad are the only ones that have sent people to me in the last years. I do encourage you to tell everyone at the Kennel Club, Ms.Connelly asked how you determine those that are breading without a breeder's. it, Ms.Copeland replied I explained to M& Beynon the other day,she had pointed out that we struggle getting the permits we already have in force,We will do it as we get complaints;we do not have the staff and knock on peoples doors and find out if they are in compliance with the permlL We do not have the man power to do that. We had the Pomeranian issue a while back that would be a situation where enforcement would have helped. If someone had complained and said°I think we have an out of control breeder over here.' We could have stepped in and that would have been an avenue for us early on. Ms.Copeland added that I don't think that anyone recognized it until it was where she had the 200 ani al& Ms.Connelly asked if that particular breeder would have been in compliance it this would have been in force. Ms.Copeland replied that she didn't know. I feel that if she had been permitted 1 think she might have been aware then that there was some help out there for her.She was not aware of that and I would say that most of the p�,e at the kennel club and in the city that a lot of people don't realize that my goal is not to put down animals,it is to get as many animals placed as possible. She was a very sweet lady and with those that's what we did;we lost a few animals in the transition but other than the few that we lost the animals went to good homes. Ms.Connelly added that you are slating that you would have trouble with enforcement, Ms.Copeland replied that yes enforcement wouA be an issue. Ms,Connelly asked if you are pulling staff from the field to help with your euthanasia Ms,Copeland replied yes. Ms.Connelly added that this woman that you are referencing with the Pomeranian's and what I had heard about it was taking action to be secretive about the number of dogs in her possession. Ms. Martinez replied that they will use a number of veterinarian's for the pets. Ms. Copeland replied that she didn't recall her being secretive. Ms.Connelly added that R does seem that she had multiple veterinarians and that they were not aware of her having too many and no one reporting here A person of that nature is not going to get a permit. Ms. Copeland replied that I don't believe she was being secretive. I feel that she was using a variety of vets because she had no choice. But had it been a situation where we had breeder permits a vet might have called and told us I don't know if this person is just out of control but we have 20 animals that we are treating for this person. Ms,Copeland added that we are going to be relying on people to let us know,that is a lot of times how we find out that we have someone out there with a pet shop that is out of compliance. We go out in the field and verify that they do not have one so that is an issue Weds,the inspection and make sure they are selling the right kind of animals and the animals are clean.Usually once that happens they are in compliance and then each year they go ahead and renew it It is a slow process,hopefully with the economy Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting, March 18'4, 2010 Ivi picks up we will be able to replace the positions that we have lost. Also eventually we could get the additional staff that we have requested to be able to do the job. Ms.Copeland informed the committee that we are modifying the ordinance for a lot of reason and one of them�s the way it was written in the past it required us to do things that were counterproductive to the running of the shelter and to the responding to the calls in the field. t don't think that its are one of those things. I think the City eventually wills fit to give us an inspection officer who wK1 do perrrOts, the inspections for all of those who apply. It is a big issue, it's not going to be easy to get passed and I understand that and will have to be prepared to tell City Council how we are going to enforce it. If it gets knocked down,it will get knocked down. I think City Council recognizes that this is a big issue. Ms.Schmidt added that for the people that are doing this are saying that the puppies are 3 weeks,they are breeding for non taxable in me.. Anyone would be aware of what was going on in the neighborhood or wherever they may live the puppies are gone and sold 1,personally have called the police on those trying to it from the side of the road.The momma dog had her body hanging to the ground because of being pregnant so many times in the middle of summer. Also atone other location where I saw someone selling the dogs and found the manager of the property to talk to and told him that you know you have someone selling dogs on your property. Ms.Copeland rep4ed that we do not have the staff to respond to these calls all the time;wee upon the police department to help us out with that. Just because it's not something wen sarily have the staff to always be pro-active aboul. It's not an ordinance that I think that I think wen to eliminate, $feel it's an ordinance that wen to maintain and to keep.Ms.Connelly commented that they could do it in their home or put the ad in then spa er. Dr. Watson made note that Ms.Copeland is going to bring the ordinances to us in pieces when the breeding permit comes up we will be discussing before the committee. Ms.Beynon can lei you know what meeting we will be doing that in that way you can come back to listen to everything. Ms.Copeland added that they will be looking at what we present to them.At different times they come and meet with me to discuss with me what's going on with the ordinance, Ms. ynon,Ms,Person and M&Martinez have all met with me in reference to this. It's not the board or the committee and don't want anyone to think anybody here,11's my ordinance I am the one working on it. It will be submitted to the committee and whether they support them or not.If they don't;the breeder portion of the ordinance than that will be made clear to City Councl, If they do support that it will also be made dear. It is the same for each portion of the ordinances. This is one of the reasons why I am doing it in sections because I don't wants ion 6-1011 don't want it to go down the tubes because of the breeder's permit,I don't want 4 to get lost in the discussion, Ms.Copeland added that she feels that Corpus Christi has a huge stray animal population We get a large number of pure bred dogs in here,from shitzu's and Daberman's, At this time we haves a beautiful Boxer's out there,3 or 4 of them and 1 of the is heart worm positive. Someone paid good money for that beautiful dog;and then they come around and didn't take care of them and all ovv them to run around loose, The animal is not altered and I'm sure he has fathered some pups out there. I think there is a portion of fixing up the stray population,I don't think R's the whole answer it's a very small part of the answer, Ms.Schmidt asked what if the breeder of that boxer sold that boxer and it was turned in here,How would that breeder handle the permit? Ms Copeland replied that she feels the way the breeder permit is going to help us it is going to be a deterrent for some people especially those who breed out of the back yard. It may not bother them the first o r s econd time but the third time they get caught and get fined and have to purchase a breeder's permit they will think twice about it. I feel that those who the job rights it are going to change what they do. But I think it will effect strongly as opposed to those who are back yard breeders. Ms. Schmidt started to ask a question and Dr. Watson interjected to let her know that with the rules for open meetings act her time limit to speak has gone over. Ms.Schmidt added that she just had one question in reference to the breeder permit in reference with stud dogs, Ms. Copeland replied that if you are able to stay after the meeting that if you would f1ke to stay l would be happy to talk with you and would love your input. 7e l4dentif r Items to be olac ed on the next agenda Ms.Martinez asked if we couA talk about the ordinances next time. Me eynon asked about which one.Ms.Copeland asked if they could do general ordinances for now,I have the feral cats I wanted to talk about but not sure if wiJ have enough time to work on it due to working on the budget too. Ms. Beynon requested respectfully that we not discuss the breeder permit because she will not be able to attend the next meeting, MIS Copeland replied yes we can hold off on that. Dr. Watson asked about the fee's, ',,f they have gone to council yet. Ms. Copeland replied that they haven't they are with Ms. Hu ley. We talked for a long time yesterday and the adoption fees that Mr.Escobar can sign off on.Some of them have actually turned out there are going to be resolutions instead of being an ordinance, Ms.Copeland believes that the next meeting is the second Tuesday,April 131,which will be the next meeting. I will send an email when I know for sure about this. 8. AoJournment Mr.Schroeder made a motion to adjoum,,Ms.Beynon 2nd the motion all in favor moUon passed.1-.05pm 4 Animal Control Advisory Committee Meeting, March 18"', 2 010