Minutes 01-29-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the county. There will be a resolution related to proposed legislation about commercial dog breeding and the Animal Services Advisory board is in support of this bill. This has been referred to as "puppy mill" legislation to prevent cruel and inhumane practices. She said that mid-year, the Animal Services Advisory Board will start the discussion regarding free roaming cats in Orange County. This is a public health issue, as well as a cat humane issue. Bob Marotto— Director of Orange County Animal Services (ASAB) At the request of Chair Jacobs, Mr. Marotto gave a description of the history and role of Animal Services. He said Animal Services was created by the Board of County Commissioners in 2005. This occurred one year after the county assumed operational responsibility of the old animal shelter on Animal Shelter Drive in Chapel Hill. He said that with the creation of Animal Services, the animal shelter and staff were combined with animal control and their staff, which had previously been a section of environmental health. In 2009, the new Animal Services Center was opened on Eubanks Rd and combined everyone under one roof. Chair Jacobs thanked Dr. Bergstrand for her long service to the ASAB and welcomed Michelle Walker. He then opened the floor for questions. Commissioner Dorosin asked how many current vacancies exist in the ASAB. Bob Marotto said they have one current vacancy, defined for the board as an at large non-municipal vacancy. There are currently nine applicants who fit the board criteria. Half of these candidates were invited to the January meeting of the advisory board and the other half will be invited to the February meeting. This is so that the board can converse with the people about what they do and what kind of commitment is required, and also to form a recommendation for the commissioners. Commissioner Price asked if they had enough ability/time to address the dangerous dog issue. Bob Marotto said there are ways in which their tool kit can be improved. Three major gaps include the fact that currently there is no requirement for identification or microchip requirements for animals that are deemed dangerous. There are no specific or suitable confinement requirements in Orange County. The statutory confinement requirements are loose. There is no express authority to seize an animal in violation of the current requirements. In addition, there is the issue of whether the county should have authority, in the event of serious incidents, to destroy an animal subject to due process provisions. This exists in other jurisdictions. These issues will be brought forward to the commissioners in the future. Chair Jacobs said they have a legislative agenda coming forth on February 19th. He noted that this would be the best time to bring forward the puppy mill information. Chair Jacobs said he appreciated that they were working with Triangle Wildlife Rehabilitation. Chair Jacobs asked for an update for the board about the Mobile Emergency Animal Unit for Pet Location. Bob Marotto said that extraordinary progress had been made with Triangle Wildlife Rehabilitation in coming up with a performance agreement and folding money into the Animal Services budget as they fill this gap with wildlife. He noted that Triangle Wildlife is closing and this hole will need to be filled some other way. Mr. Marotto said the Mobile Emergency Animal Unit for pet location emerged post- Katrina. The purpose is to have companion animals sheltered in the same building as their owners after a disaster, not in the same room, but in the same facility. The reasons for this include effective emergency management and response, since many people don't want to leave their animals. He said that North Carolina has been a pioneer in developing companion