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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 01/20/201103- 21 -'11 12;24 FROM- ANIMAL CARE SERVICES 3618263259 T -095 P0001f0003 F -223 P Atntal cars Sea cit o f Corpus . Christi � City of orrru$1 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nueces County Public Health District Education Room, 2626 Holly Rd The Minutes for January 20th, 2011 MAR 3 1 2011 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Members Present: Bill Schroeder, Cheryl Martinez, Samantha Person, Helen 5terbach, Heather Tamoski, Barbara Beynon and Dr. Barbara Whitlock MembersAhssnt, none Staff Present Aurora Parlamas, Cindy Ramos and Janet Schenzel S Absent: none Guests. Mark Crider 1, Cal Ito O r d er: Mr. Schroeder called the meeting to order at 12:32 2. Discussion and oss! ! A roval of Minutes from December 1 la 2 10 Ms. Person noted that on pg 6 par 5 should read December 117r' instead of the 9e. Ms. Martinez mode a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Beynon 2 the motion all in favor motion passed. 3. Discussion artd RoWl lo App rovalof Absences from Deeem r 16" 2010 Ms. Sterbach informed the committee she was absent due to business and Ms. Martinez stated that she was out due to being sick Ms. Tarnoski made a motion to approve the absence Dr. Whitlock 2 the motion all in favor motion passed 4. Discussion of Monthly Reports A. zt7onasis _ e off Mr. Schroeder informed the committee that he Zeonosis report was attached for viewing. Dr. Whitlock asked if there were any changes in the way wa submit bate for testing. Ms. Parlamas replied no. 5. Shelter Report Ms, Parlamas informed the committee of the shelter numbers for the month of December. There was a total of incoming from the field was 247 and drop off 490 for a total of 737. The outgoing was 57 returned to owners and 64 rescue and adoptions. The total far bite cases was 56. The total calls for services were 1,86$. Ms. Martinez asked if we were micro - chipping everything, are we micro - chipping cats or not. Ms. Ramos replied that we micro -chip every animal that goes into our adoption program. Ms. Martinez commented we are micro-chipping cats. Ms. Ramos replied that she hadn't heard of us not doing it. Ms. Person added that she found some she picked up that didn't have one. Ms Martinez added that she found that we weren't getting them all done. Dr. Whitlock asked if they were already spayed or neutered. Ms, Martinez replied yes and there have been more than one occasion where it's not been done. Ms, Martinez added that this has been brought up before is scanning for the microchip before euthanizing. They should be doing at intake and when they are euthanizing, even the cats, It is very impar{ant; we are encouraging the micro - chipping but not scanning all of them. We could also be checking for tattoos'. We had a dog from Gulf Coast and they do tattoo them, it doesn't take long to check. Dr. Whitlock asked Where the tattoo was. Ms. Martinez replied !twos in the ear. Dr. Whitlock added that she has Animal Control Ad visory Commi January 20 2011 03- 21 -'11 12;24 FROM- ANIMAL CARE SERVICES 3618268259 T -095 P0002/0003 F -223 gone out there when they were euthanizing and asked where the scanner was about 2 months ago. How can they check if they don't have a scanner available to them when Ms, Martinez stated that one time when she was back there and saw one not being scanned why they weren't checking. The staff said it was a mangy stray. Ms. Martinez then added that how do you know that he animal is not going thru some medical treatment or belong to someone. It is also my understanding that the cats are just as important as the dog; every animal should be scanned before they are euthanized; hopefully they are scanning when they are bringing them in. Ms. Beynon added that she understood it was procedure. Mr. Beynon added that when she first came when you check for this. Me, Martinez added that she heard Mr, Schroeder was told that we were trying to got it done and Ms. Person showed that it only takes a few seconds to do this procedure. Ms, Martinez also added that it would take a few seconds to check the ear for the tattoo. Dr. Whitlock asked if it was a number. Ms. Martinez replied yes by t8900- Ms. Taube added that it is a 5 or 6 digit number. Ms. Martinez added that they came to transfer out some dogs recently and there was a dog of theirs here. Mr, Schroeder added that would be the last moment to do that and we are responsible for that. It could slip thru for the intake but when euthanizing that would be the last chance. Dr. Whitlock wanted to point out that one time when she was vaccinating when Dr. House was out was on the intake they were chipped and if they have a chip there is no notation in the computer that I could find it being done. I had found one and we can call, someone already had called from here but there was no notation in the computer that it was done. it should say we tried to make contact on this date and no response. Ms. Martinez added that we had an animal that we adopted out that was chipped. She was an the news and it was a big deal, Dr. Whitlock asked if we had chipped 11. Ms. Martinez replied no. i was walking the kennels with Me. Copeland and she found a kennel card on top and there were notes that there was a chip. The vet's office found it, they did call and wasn't able to reach the company. The dog was from Kingsville, not local and it was adopted. It was horrible to spend the time with the adopted family being in a perfect home and derided to give the dog back. Ms. Martinez added that she personally spoke with them and they asked what fell thru the cracks, Ms. Martinez added that it fell thru the cracks was due to the notes in the computer. We always took at that information and the information was not updated. Dr. Whitlock added that is when I had found the microchip and from the person who adapted they didn't update their information. You call the phone 9 you have and they haven't been there for 5 years, which is very common to happen with animals that are microchips. Ms. Martinez pointed out that there are times you can go the extra mile to locale the owner. It is easier to rind them with what we have now. With this situation the adopiee was nice enough to give the dog back fn its original owner even though he didn't have to and we had done everything correct and it was really bad for him. Now he will never adopt from a shelter again. Mr. Schroeder wanted to clarify that the owner was found. Ms. Martinez replied that the ownerof the dog had been trying to find it and didn't think she would be able to. Mr. Schroeder commented if there is a website like'lost money'. If there is a way to educate once we find one chipped and cannot find the owner and have exhausted all your resourees. Ms. Martinez added that she would post it on Craig's' list, everyone looks at Craig's list for lost and found animals. Ms. Tamoski also added that we get dogs and will scan it; it's amazing how many people do not register the animal. Dr. Whitlock asked if we register the animal before they leave the shelter. Ms, Taube added that when the animals are adopted out the pet owner has a copy, we keep one and one is mailed off to the maker of the chip. The paperwork provides you with an 800 # and website to use when needed. Mr. Schroeder asked about the cats are chipped or not. Ms. Martinez replied she didn't know I have seen some not chipped. Mr. Schroeder asked if they are not chipped are we not charging for it. Ms. Martinez replied its part of the fee; we are saying all of our animals are micro - chipped and they are not. Mr, Schroeder added that we do have a fee for this, Ms. Beynon added that everything is included in the fee. Ms. Martinez added that she tells people all the time the animals are micro - chipped and recently one was a cat was not. Mr. Schroeder added that you are expecting everything is one and not getting something you paid for, Ms, Martinez added that the cat Is just as important as the dogs getting this, Ms. Beynon asked what need s to be done to fix this. Dr. Whitlock replied that we need to make sure we have enough scanners and the batteries because the baltedes can go quietly. The areas that they are needed are the clinic, for euthanasia, side take for incoming and the bay when animals are brought in from the field makes a total of 4 and we could use t more. Me. Schroeder asked if they are being checked when they are being adopted. Dr. Whillock replied that she didn't think so. Ms. Beynon asked if animals were mixed up. Ms. Martinez added that there are occasions where the microchip tag wasn't found and each one has a specific number, Qr. Whitlock asked if when they are micro-chippee where is the chip kept. Ms, Martinez replied that it is put In the sleeve with the kennel cards. Ms. Taube added that when we receive all the paperwork in the front office the chip is inside its awn plastic container, sometimes it's already on the dog. We put the bar codes on the paperwork, Dr. Whitlock asked if the microchip information is usually in there. Ms. Taube replied yes. Ms. Martinez added that she's had 2 that weren't. Ms. Taube added that there are certain instances that can see the information in the computer but for whatever reason it's not in the sleeve. Ms. Martinez added that we are encouraging them to-do it, you can't preach something than not do it._ What if one of our own animals our brought in and we don't recognize it and one of our own were to be euthanized. It shouldn't matter how mangy the dog may look. Ms, Beynon added that the one thing the micro -chip scanner it is a safety issue for the officers, You don't have to put your hands on the dog, you just scan it. Dr. Whitlock asked if when we pick up the stray dogs and when people come in to pick up their dog are we requiring them to micro -chip the animal before it goes home. Ms, Martinez replied no but when they pick up their dog and not licensed and vaccinated they are fined they make them pay for the mandatory spay neuter. If they are current they do not. The ideal would be if k was mandatory here. Ms, Taube explained that with a first impoundment if they are not current with both rabies and city license and not altered they are required, The animals that are current with both rabies and license and not altered if they come in twice in one year they also are required to be fixed. Ms. Martinez asked if we followed up on this. Ms. Romos added that they get a citalion for the mandatory spay /neuter and if they don't comply then the referral goes thru, if they do prove ft's been done then the citalion is voided, Animal Control Advisory Comrnittee January 20' 2011 03- 21 - '11 12;24 FROM- ANIMAL CARE SERVICES 3618268259 T -095 P0003/0003 F -223 Dr. Whitlock also pointed out about the pit bull that was brought in that killed, that owner will probably never show up. If the dog had a micro- chip than we could make contact to see if they still own the pet. It not then we would be able to find out who does. In cases like this it would be nice if the animal was required to be micro - dripped, than if it was brought in again it would be tracked. Ms. Martinez replied that would bean ordinance change that would need to be done so that it would be a requirement that they would be chipped, especially if it was a dangerous dog or bite case. Ms. Taube added that we do have a few animals in the past 3 years that have been deemed dangerous. When that happens they are required to purchase a certain tag along with their city registration tag. Ms. Beynon wanted to add that with the officers on a of the toughest things about the job, like the pit bull this week €s proving ownership. it happens way too often, but when you have it micro - chipped a tag can be removed and put another dog, the micro -chip stays in the animal and feel that an ordinance would be good to have the micro- chipping of an animal or deemed a dangerous dog. Dr. Whitlock wanted to add that we should prababiy put this on the agenda for next month because we cannot make a recommendation today because of the opens meeting act. Ms. Ramos pointed out to the committee that she had the report for the violations for failure to restrain, failure to register and failure to vaccinate. Ms. Martinez replied that it doesn't seem like a tot of violations for all the animals that come in. Ms. Ramos replied that often times with the animals that are brought in some of them do not have owners. Me. Martinez made note about the total of 57 returned to owners. Ms. Parlamas asked about the codes. Ms. Taube replied that 6 -101 n is unrestrained, 6 -126 is for the vaccination and 6 -26 is for the registration. Ms. Beynon asked that the numbers shown are the chations for December. There were a total of 34 violations written, 6 -101 had 7, 6 -126 had 13 and 6 -26 had 13. cl€n €c it" Ms. Parlamas informed the committee there was a total of 116 surgeries- Public Comments Mr, Mark Crider introduced himself and spoke about the citlzens who do not comply with the ordinances of how to properly tether an animal. Mr. Crider felt that people may be confused between city regulation$ and state law on the cruelty and the tethering of the animals. Mr. Crider also added that he had met with Troy Riggs and Mark Schauer from the Police Department and talked about the tethering fawn and the selling of dogs on the side of the road. Mr. Schroeder asked that when tethering an animal improper is it Animal Control that writes the citation or the police that spots it. Ms. Schenzal replied that our procedure is when we see it and ignorance of the law is no excuse but we allow the pet owner 72 hours to comply. When we go back if they haven't at that lime then they will receive the citation. Mr. Schroeder asked if the police can write the citation for the same violation. Ms. Schmzel replied yes. Mr. Crider asked if Chief Riggs called or Mr. $chauer call. Ms. Martinez added that he called me I didn't calf him. They knew you were upset and I sent them a copy of the ordinance; they are going to work along with Animal Control on this and PD has no problem educating the public also. Mr. Noble added that he use to know the ordinances well, isn't there a statement in there where they are given 24 hr notices to correct the situation. Ms. Martinez replied that you cannot tether to one post, it has to be the trolley system. Mr. Noble added that the animal can Only be tethered for certain amount of hours and cannot be between the hours of 10.00 pm and before 6:00 am. Mr. Noble also added that PD can write a citation for anything that Animal Control does. When you get a ticket from a police officer they can put what the fine is and mail €I. When we write one it's up to the judge to decide the fee. A peace officer can enforce the law. A person can get certified as a code enforcement officer which is state certified then you can write diations. Mr. Schroeder pointed out that this would be a good advisory to the community that the police department is going to step up and have the ability to write a ticket if they see a dog in distress or tied up. It could he a reminder for the citizens, Dr. Whitlock added that this could be an item for the next meeting, Mr, Crider pointed out to the committee that the sheriffs don't like the people working in town and vice versa, Mr, Crider asked what he would have to do to gain a position to write citations for this. Mr. Noble replied that the City has something where you can go to Citizens Police Academy where you then can write a citation for parking in handicapped and certain issues. The theory is it is One thing to write a citation for a car that is silting out in public but another fo go up to someone's house. Unless there are no trespassing signs you have the right to go on to the property, unless obvious not allowed there. If you were injured doing as such enforcing the law then there is a liability issue, Mr, Schroeder noted that theyw €ll be putting the item about tethering on the next agenda. Identify items to be placed on the next a enda Mr. Schroeder asked if anyone had any items they would like to see on the agenda. Ms. Martinez wanted to see if we could have upcoming events on every agenda. Ms. Taube added that we could talk about this under the shelter report since we no longer do old and new business- Ms. Martinez also added that she wanted to talk about trapped animals, where we have some people that call more than one time a week and the public has never had to pay for pick up. Mr, Schroeder asked about the $50.00 deposit. Mr. Noble replied that is for the rental from ACS and some people purchase their own traps. We have some who drop off trapped animals here and we go out to pick up at their homes. We have 1 staff member that picks up the traps and there are many that are repeat Gaiters and have never had a fee for picking them up, Adiournment Ms. Martinez made a motion to adjourn, Ms. Beynon 2H the motion all in favor motion passed,1;16pm Animal Control.4dvisor'y Coiwmittee January 20 2011