Agenda - 12-03-2007-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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On the basis of this .study, staff developed the following recommended changes, doing so in concert with the Animal Services Advisory Board, which formally approved these recommendations. New Amount Previous Amount Failure to Vaccinate a ainst Rabies $200 $100 Failure to License $200 $50 Mistreatment $200 $50 Public Nuisance Violations $50, $100, $200, $300, $400 $25, $50, $100, $150, $200 The adjustment of these amounts requires the amendment of section 21 of the ordinance, which has been prepared by the Office of the County Attorney, on the basis of a public hearing. The proposed effective date of these changes is July 1, 2008. As can be seen from the proposed ordinance amendment, and the related proposal to amend the Animal Control Collection Policy, a change in language from "civil penalty" to "fee" is being recommended in several instances as well. These include a failure to vaccinate against rabies; a failure to wear a rabies tag; a failure to license; and a failure to allow a required permit inspection. The rationale for these changes is that there should be a fee to recover some of the additional costs that are incurred when pet owners are not in compliance with the County's Animal Control ordinances. The public relations plan has been developed by a work group of staff, and an earlier version with a shorter schedule was formally approved by the ASAB. The outreach plan stresses the theme of responsible pet ownership and the benefits of complying with the Animal Ordinance. The outreach includes four major components organized around these themes: a media release, a flyer, public service announcements, and display advertisements. Outreach in accordance with this plan is intended to ensure that individual pet owners and other County residents are all aware of changes in the amount of civil penalties and fees and their rationale in advance of the actual changes. A first reading of this proposal occurred at the November 15, 2007, BOCC meeting, and the proposal was approved by a vote of 4 to 1. It is proposed for final approval on second reading by the BOCC at this December 3, 2007 regular meeting. As directed by the BOCC in the action it took on November 15th, the education and outreach period has been extended to six months, beginning on January 1, 2008 and running until the effective date of change on July 1, 2008. Given discussion at the initial reading, staff is making some other adjustments to ensure that the public is adequately. informed of and prepared for any changes. Staff is reviewing the Animal Services webpage to ensure that it is as accessible, clear and user-friendly as possible, especially with regard to animal control requirements and procedures. Also, staff has contacted kennel permit owners to notify them of the proposed changes and second reading. Both the ordinances themselves and related civil penalties and fees are designed to improve the safety and welfare of not only animals, but human members of the County. This is no less true with respect to various public nuisances (for example, barking or unconfined dogs) than the vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies, though the latter is certainly accented by high numbers of confirmed rabies cases in recent years in Orange County as well as the state.