HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Animal Care Advisory Committee - 06/17/2020MINUTES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY MEETING
Conference Room, 2626 Holly
Minutes from June 17", 2020
Members Present: Linda Gibeaut, Connie Bowen, Margaret Obregon, Sharon Ray, Deborah Shores,
Juliana Carlisle
Members Absent: Jarvis-Amaya
City Staff: Joel Skidmore, Jackie Torres, Rebekah Chiarello
Public Present: None
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Connie Bowen at 12:32 p.m.
H. Roll Call of Members
Roll was called, and a quorum was confirmed.
III. Discussion and Approval of Minutes from February 190i, 2020
Sharon Ray motioned to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
IV. Discussion and Approval of Absences from February 19/', 2020
Motioned to approve. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
V. Department Presentation and Discussion
Region 11 Zoonosis Report — Mr. Skidmore reviewed the Zoonosis Report and noted that there are
no new cases of rabies in our area. There were no questions or concerns brought up by the board.
Current Shelter Report and Clinic Report — Mr. Skidmore referred to the February 2019/2020
comparison chart acknowledging the increase of adoptions of dogs from 83 in 2019 to 103 in 2020,
decrease in Returned to owner 59 in 2019 to 49 in 2020, decrease in Euthanasia 15 in 2019 to 14 in
2020. The live release rate for cats in 2020 ended at 92.86% and 89.21% for dogs making the total
dog/cat live release for 2020 90.16% in comparison to 90.38% in 2019.Mr. Skidmore pointed out the
dramatic increase of citations of 157 in 2019 to 743 in 2020 and he attributed this to the entry of the
citations in our computer software in chameleon. He explained how the Officers issuing citations
were not capturing the data properly when entering violations. Mr. Skidmore moved on to the city
license report discussing the increase from 426 in 2019 to 1069 in 2020. The "other" as in wildlife
outgoing numbers were down from 43 in 2019 to 40 in 2020. The bite cases were also down from
144 in 2019 to 94 in 2020. Reported calls for service were up from 1518 in 2019 to 1931 in 2020.
Linda Gibeaut inquired on staffing since the calls for service were increased. Mr. Skidmore advised
that in February we were fully staffed but since then we have had some departures and we are still
currently hiring. In March is when COVID-19 started affected our numbers. The live release for dogs
decreased from 90.24% in 2019 to 87.50% in 2020. Live Release for cats increased from 78.7% in
2019 to 97.10 in 2020. Ms. Gibeaut and Ms. Bowen inquired on the increase of the Euthanasia
increase from 28 in 2019 to 29 in 2020. Mr. Skidmore explained the spike can be due to most of the
calls the Officers were responding too were sick and injured dogs/cats/other. Ms. Gibeaut and Ms.
Bowen question the status of the animals that were euthanized expressing concern that they did not
get networked or possibly did not get the standard stray hold due to medical need. Mr. Skidmore
explained he could not comment on each individual animal, but everything was done that could be
done to save them before they were euthanized and added the decision to euthanize to prevent further
pain and suffering comes from our Veterinarian Dr. Draper. Mr. Skidmore moved on to the citation
report noting the increase from 224 in 2019 to 458 in 2020. He mentioned that when he came to
CCACS, Officers were issuing warnings and now are immediately issuing citations, also causing an
increase in citation numbers besides the previous incorrect entry of violations. Ms. Gibeaut inquired
if we get anything from the courts reporting how many citations are charged, dismissed, etc. Mr.
Skidmore replied that we do not receive any reports on that matter but that he would like to. Ms.
Bowen and Ms. Gibeaut advised they had been going to court on Friday's to sit in on citations. They
stated that a lot of them were being dismissed at no fault of the Officer issuing them and there were
also several no shows. They expressed their frustration with this process. Mr. Skidmore noticed that
the calls for service for March/April/May 2020 were missing for the report and advised the board he
would gather the missing info and send out a email to the Advisory Board. He reviewed the March
microchip stats for 2019 at 183 and 405 in 2020. Mr. Skidmore expressed his preference in micro
chip over a city tag, both equally beneficial and a city license is currently a city ordinance, but tags
can be lost. A chip allows staff to attempt to access owner info and return the animal. Ms. Bowen
inquired on future micro chipping events. Mr. Skidmore explained when we are able to open for
regular business, he does plan to continue future micro chipping events. Ms. Gibeaut inquired on the
numbers for surgeries in the April and May reports since we had ceased spay/neuters for adoptions.
Mr. Skidmore explained he did not have the dates on had on when they were ceased and would get
that information to the board by the end of the day. Ms. Gibeaut also inquired on Notice of Violations
for the adopter to spay/neuter their adopted pets since that was not being done here. Mr. Skidmore
explained that the adopters were leaving with the Notices as well the adopters and the animal profile
being noted they were advised of this requirement and will be followed up on. He the moved on to
April's report. The live release rate for cats was up from 71.84% in 2019 to 94.44 in 2020. The live
release decreased from 94.53 in 2019 to 89.60 in 2020 making the total dog/cat live release rate 88.33
in 2019 and 72.17 in 2020.Mr Skidmore explained the decrease is going back to the limited protocol
we are working with focusing on sick and injured calls. Ms. Gibeaut pointed out that the total dog/cat
live release rate for 2020 was off. Total 2020 dog 89.60% and cat 94.44%, the displayed total of
72.17% would be inaccurate. Mr. Skidmore agreed and felt there was an issue with the formula used
to gather the data and will check on it and send out to the board. He confirmed the hard data is a
reflection "heart be in, heart beat out" as previously reported by Mr. Gillis. Mr. Skidmore discussed
the average length of stay was longer for dogs/cats being primarily due to the COVID-19 situation.
Ms. Bowen consulted with Ms. Shores via Zoom about the risks of spay/neuter surgeries in regard
to COVID. Ms. Shores expressed her concern was more about human exposure than a risk with an
animal. At her practice they are in proximity with each other and at times customers, but they wear
protective gear and try to maintain distance when possible. Mr. Skidmore expressed his concern for
the staff's safety and that CCACS still has not resumed spay/neuter surgeries and Dr. Draper may
have done some elective surgeries, TNR, quality of life etc. and he will also check on the clinic
reports that have activity for April and May and report back to the board. Mr. Skidmore went on to
the May report citing a increase for cat live release from 50.89% in 2019 to 61.63% in 2020.The dog
live release rate was also up from 90.68% in 2019 to 91.56% in 2020 making the total dog/cat live
release rate 80.83 2020 from 78.70 in 2019. He reaerated he would check the formula for this data is
correct. The total citations are up to 425 in 2020 from 199 in 2019. Ms. Gibeaut inquired if the
Officers were still responding to sectors, Delta etc. Mr. Skidmore explained that the Officers are
working out of Districts but are not confined to just one District as previously practiced. He moved
on to review the average length of stay for cats as 6 days with the help of rescues during kitten season.
Program Manager Update — Mr. Skidmore gave an update on Vector Control. They have been
spraying for Mosquitoes where it is needed. Traps are strategically placed around the city and sent
off for testing. We had an exotic impound this month of 2 Lemurs that were confiscated but now in
quarantine due to a minor bite of one of our staff members. They are expected to leave to a rescue
when the quarantine is up. There was also a baby alligator that was already relocated found at the
same location as the Lemurs and was also
Subcommittee Reports
• Ordinances - Bypass
• Volunteer Recruitment - Bypass
• Tethering Ordinances — Bypass
• CCACS Ordinances- Officer Chiarello gave a presentation on Sec.6-164.-Adequate Shelter of
Canines, Sec. 6-26 Application Requirements (Microchip), Sec. 6-27.- Fees, Sec. 6-28 Microchip
Required, Sec.6-29 Maintaining current registration information, See.6-30: Registration Records,
Sec. 6-31 — Reduction or waiver of fee during animal health campaigns, Sec. 6-1 Definitions
(Microchip), Sec. 6-103 —Impoundment, Section 6-1 Definitions (Reclaim), Section 6-165 Failure to
Reclaim Impoundment Animal.
VL Old Business for Discussion and Possible Action
• Ms. Shores emailed the board with talking points about tethering that included sample ordinances
from other cities. A motion was made and unanimously passed to keep tethering in old business for
the next agenda and the email Ms. Shores sent will be printed and included in the next agenda.
VII. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action
• Discussion of a Breeding or Spay/Neuter Ordinance- Linda Gibeaut commented that CCACS already
working on Spay/Neuter Ordinance. A motion was made and passed unanimously to place item in
old business.
• Linda motioned to present the recommendation of CCACS new ordinances to Deputy Chief Green,
Chief Markle and City Council. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Public Comments
1►rfwi '
IX. Identify items to be placed on neat azenda
• A motion was made to add the proposal of a new day and time for Animal Care Advisory
Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
X. Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45. All approved, and meeting was adjourned.
Ronald D. Tyler, DVM, MSTEXAS 601 W. Sesame Drive
Vaishnavi Narasimhan, MPH- Zoonosis Control Specialist&�4�wfiealthan .a. Harlingen, Texas 78550
Letty Tamayo, MS- Public Health Specialist Se"Ices Office: (956) 444-3212 FAX: (956) 444-3216
of State
PUBLIC HEALTH REGION 11 WINTER -QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 2019
DECEMBER
RABIES REPORT
2019 RABIES CASES
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Rabies Cases by Species
-
A`nimed
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»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
I/"
COUNTY
2019
2018
2017
JANUARY
1
0
2
FEBRUARY
0
1
1
MARCH
2
5
2
APRIL
2
4
3
MAY
3
1
0
JUNE
0
1
2
JULY
1
0
0
AUGUST
2
4
6
SEPTEMBER
0
4
2
OCTOBER
1
0
5
NOVEMBER
2
2
2
DECEMBER
0
0
0
TOTAL
14
22
25
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2019 RABIES CASES
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COUNTY
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
TOTAL
HIDALGO
0
0
0
BAT -1
0
0
BAT -1
BAT -2
0
0
BAT -1
0
5
KLEBERG
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAT -1
0
1
LIVE OAK
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CAT -1
0
0
1
REFUGIO
0
0
BAT -1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
SAN PATRICIO
0
0
BAT -1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
WEBB
BAT -1
0
0
BAT -1
BAT -3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
TOTAL
1
0
2
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
14
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Options:
1. Tethering of any form is not allowed.
2. Tethering with improved specifications.
Here are three sample ordinances:
-Orange County, Florida Section 5-29. Definitions. Restraining Device shall mean a chain,
cord, or cable, with a minimum length of ten feet, used to confine an animal on an owner's
property. This device must provide for humane, unrestrained range of movement for the
animal to [ensure] that the animal is not exposed to hazard or injury and shall not prevent
the animal from having food, water, shelter, adequate ventilation, protection from the
elements or other care generally considered to be normal and usual. This device shall be
proportional in size, weigh no more than 1/8 of the dog or puppy's body weight, and
designed for use with the specific breed of animal with an appropriate collar. These devices
shall not be used to confine a dog on an owner's property between the hours of 9:00 am
and 5:00 pm, 365 days a year and during times of extreme weather, e.g., hurricanes, below
freezing conditions.
-Los Angeles, California Section 53.70. Care and Maintenance of Dogs D. Tethering. It shall
be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause a dog to be
fastened, chained, tied or restrained to houses, trees, fences, garages or other stationary or
highly immobile objects by means of a rope, chain, strap or other physical restraint for the
purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the following requirements
are met: (1) The tethering shall not be for more time than is necessary for the dog owner or
custodian to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be physically restrained for
a reasonable period. (2) The dog must be tethered by a non -choke type collar or a body
harness to a tether that is at least three (3) times the body length of the dog, measured
from the dog's nose to the back of the hindquarters and which tether is free from
entanglement. (3) The dog must have access to food, water and shelter as described above.
(4) The dog shall be monitored periodically.
-Louisville, Kentucky Section 91.001. Definitions. Restraint. 1) For all animals except puppies
and dogs, restraint shall mean on the premises of the owner or, if off the premises of the
owner, under restraint by means of a lead or leash and under the control of a responsible
person. 2) For puppies and dogs, restraint shall mean on the premises of the owner and
confined in a secure enclosure as previously defined, or accompanied by the owner on the
owner's property and under his/her direct control. If off the premises of the owner, the
animal must be restrained by a lead or leash and under the control of a responsible person,
or accompanied by a responsible person into an enclosed "off -leash" area designated by the
Kentucky Department of Parks and in conformance with all regulations and/or requirements
imposed as a condition of utilizing such "off -leash" area by such Department of Parks, or its
designee. (a) It is prohibited to exclusively restrain a dog or puppy by a fixed-point chain or
tether. A fixed-point restraint may be used temporarily but not to exceed one (1) hour in a
twenty-four (24) hour period. (b) A dog may be exclusively restrained by a chain or tether
provided that it is at least ten (10) feet in length and attached to a pulley or trolley mounted
on a cable which is also at least ten (10) feet in length and mounted no more than seven (7)
feet above ground level. c) Any tethering system employed shall not allow the dog or puppy
to leave the owner's property. (d) No chain or tether shall weigh more than 1/8 of the dog
or puppy's body weight. (e) Any chain or tether shall be at least ten (10) feet in length and
have swivels on both ends. (f) Any chain or tether must be attached to a properly
Supporting Materials:
Chained dogs suffer from lack of exercise, companionship, and mental stimulation and
are nearly three times more likely to attack humans than dogs who aren't forced to
spend their lives chained up.
https://secure.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/chainingpack300.l2df
Deborah Barber Shores, DVM
https://www.ccanimalmedical.com/
361-993-6752
hawkeyevet@gmail.com