ORD-2008-102a - Animal Control Ordinance - Tethering of Dogs

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112 M `Draft" Page 2 Anima! Service Advisory Board MeaftMm- WaAprill6*, 200x' UNC remedatlon effort around the crarentshelter location may be affecting adopa ms One specific suggestion was that there be more media coverage to h form the community that the shelter is still open to and serving the public. Adoption of Pit bullsfrm Orange County's Animal Shelter` --A member ofthepubliq JW Elliott Cramer gave an overview of the information he prevlousty provided and requested that the AM limit the numbers ofpit bu& on'dsplay to the public and frJs that they are being adopted out to people who are not appropriate adoptem In addition 141x. Cramer suggested that this breed ofdogshould only be adopted out to people that have cWenence handling pit bulls and are aware of their behavioral traits and tendencies as he believes there is evidence showing that these dogs are inherently more dangerous than other breeds He alto emphasized that he was struck by the member ofpit bulls and pit bull mixes at the shelter and on the shelter's webstte Another member of the publfc� Afr Michael Solusk$ conveyed that he owns a pit bull and a boxer and that he believes that his own and other dogs behave as allowed by owners, who are responsible for ensuring acceptable behavior. He indicated that he was against any bread specific changes in adoption pract ices, and asked where such changed would end if they were initiated . Ms. Jess Allison reported that the shelter is very careful about the evaluations and adoptions of this particular breedof dogs. She indicated that the Animal Shelter staff `'generally holds thisparacular bread. ofdog to a higher standard Ifthere are any signs of agp=ave behavior, they are usually not put up for adoption. Mr. Marotta, suggested that we think about whether or not we are at or beyond the best practices in the fndusby for our evaluation and placement of these dogs and other dogs. The best practices ofthe industry should be our guide, not being &scrimbtaia,ry but recognizing that there are some special considerations that should be to factor in. ASAB members d1 scussed various issues throughout and on the basis of statements made by BAff and members of thepublic. These issues included the quality and accuracy of available statistics on dog bites by breed; the challenges or di, % ddes of breed (and mixed breed? identification; the extent to which aggression has genetic rather than environmental roots, and the extent to which animal owners are responsible for the behavior of thew animal and how they affect others in human communities Motion was made by Jean Austin and seconded by Bonnie Norwood to individually gather more information on this topic and to table this request for now. VOTE: 6 in favor 2 opposed–Motion Carries. New Businers --Bob MarotM reviewed the Project and Activity Schedule handout and reported that this is a way to plan and organize our work and commitments It ensures that we are not doing too much, and risking doing anything less than very wel4 and that it helps ensure that our work load is commensurate with available resources. Select Updates —Irene Phipps reported that two rabies clinics were held today, one earlier today at the Animal Control Off rce in Hillsborough mth 27 vaccines administered and 14 licensed The second clinic is being held in the Annex Parking lot next door this evening. The next two rabies clinics will be held at the Animal Shelter on Saturday, April 19, 2008 and Wednesday April 23, 2008.