Agenda - 05-26-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ROBERT GREENBERG has been involved with the animal control in Oran7 ge County for fourteen years. He talked about the animal problem and the need to control the population of animals. All successful programs have two elements in common. The first is a strong ordinance that prevents animals from roaming and killing cattle and causing property damage and an ordinance that is enforceable. The second vital element is differential licensing. The higher fees for fertile dogs and cats is a must. It is the only way to get the animal population and the animal budget under control. This is a model ordinance. He asked that the Board approve it without any revisions. The leghold trap is primitive and should be banned. There are alternatives to the leghold trap. CARL WALTERS stated that everyone in the rural area has at least three dogs. He has lost cattle because of dogs running them to death. By the time the Dog Warren is called the dog is gone. Most of the owners are responsible but it is those few that are not. He has never found a wild dog -- they are stray dogs. The only place a steel trap is used is in the pond to catch the muskrats. The Ordinance does not dwell on those things about which farmers have problems. Pat Sanford said that the Ordinance was written to include the Cunabear trap. Commissioner Willhoit asked if there has been an approach where a differential fee is used with a provision for excluding hunting dogs. Pat Sanford indicated there have been some provisions for excluding show dogs but none for hunting dogs. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that this be addressed in the differential fee schedule. Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Carey that the public hearing be closed and that the Ordinance be referred to the Manager and the Attorney for their recommendation to be considered by the Board on June 16. Chair Willhoit stated that there are ambiguities in the Ordinance and that some of the numerical values are unreasonable. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that guidance be given to the Board with regard to the Statewide trapping law and what the County can and cannot do. Chair Marshall noted that because of budget implications the Ordinance needs to be brought back to the Board on June 16. Commissioner Carey pointed out that although it was specific problems that prompted the revisions in the Ordinance, that the Board asked the Task Force to be comprehensive in their approach and that is what the proposed Ordinance does. VOTE: UNANIMOUS. Chair Marshall announced that all other items on the agenda will be continued to June 1, 1987 and will be taken in the order they appear. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adjourn the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on