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- <br /> ' •: , , <br /> ORANGE COUNTX 27 <br /> Of <br /> BOARD OF COMMLSSIONERS Action Agenda <br /> _ <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACr Itemtb124 <br /> IT:0MM DATS_Jentember 6_ _19EL <br /> Subject: Animal Control <br /> • <br /> I lePartment: Healthl I Public Rearing: "_ yes X no, <br /> 1 <br /> ••••••••■•••••• •■•••■•11.F <br /> Attachrrent Information Contact: Commissioner WiIThoit <br /> 1 . Summary of AmendMents Jerry Robinson <br /> 2. Proposed Animal Control Ordinance <br /> Amendments Phone Number: 732-8181, Ext. 311 <br /> PURPOSE: In general, the purposes of this ordinance are to define and prohibit the abus <br /> of animals; to establish an animal cruelty investigation effort; to define and remedy <br /> public nuisance problems that are dangerous or prejudicial to public health, property, <br /> and livestock; to remedy the emmission of noises that annoy or frighten citizens; to <br /> regulate, restrict, Or prohibit the keeping of strays ; to prevent dogs from going at <br /> large and breeding iii such manner as to maintain a superabundence of dogs and engaging <br /> in pack activities; to permanently restrain vicious dogs; to establish a citizens complai <br /> process; and, to establish civil fines for violation of the ordinance. <br /> NEED: Numerous citizens are bitten each year (some persons sustain serious injury <br /> requiring hospitalization); the Animal Control Officers (ACOs) of the Health Department <br /> handle around 10 bite cases per month; dogs cause bicyclists and motorcyclists to have <br /> accidents; in some areas jogging and other outdoor exercise is hazardous due to dogs; <br /> livestock are killedlby dog packs; roaming dogs destroy property; citizens complain they <br /> are not able to enjoy their own yard due to roaming dogs; the ACOs respond to about 170 <br /> citizen complaints about dogs per month in the non-incorporated areas of Orange County. <br /> Several major cases of cruelty to animals are discovered each year. We lack a systemati2 <br /> effort to discover tike true extent of this problem and stop such practices . Orange Count <br /> does not now have an! ordinance other than the minimal State Regulations. The State <br /> Regulations are inadequate for the control of roaming and biting dogs - often our ACO's <br /> are unable to help people due to lack of regulations . <br /> ; <br /> IMPACT: <br /> A) Increased safety and security of citizens and property from animals . <br /> Provide -ACO!s .with necessary regulations to do their jobs. <br /> C) Establish an animal cruelty investigation/prevention program. <br /> D) Minimal additional county cost but increased revenue due to fine collection. <br />