ASAB Annual Report Work Plan 2019 2020 draft

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i Unified Animal Ordinance and for this reason it is essential to have an effective succession of members. A task force of the ASAB worked with staff throughout the year to revise ordinance provisions for the keeping of animals dangerous to persons and property. This effort began with the effort to correct significant issues of language and conceptualization in the case of reptiles and came to include broader issues of whether amendments are needed to make the ordinance less restrictive or because of changes in the status of animals such as feline hybrids. The effort is continuing and it is expected to include ordinance provisions for the display of exotic and other animals before being brought forward for consideration by others. The ASAB paid attention to the recent ordinance amendment allowing for the review and revocation of a dangerous animal declaration made under the ordinance. This amendment was developed because of concerns voiced by members of the Hearing Panel Pool that lifelong declarations and restrictions were onerous and unreasonable. The ASAB remains convinced that it is important for there to be a parallel amendment to NCGS to avoid unnecessary and unwanted lifelong sentences as a dangerous dog with associated restrictions and requirements. The ASAB also paid close attention to an amendment to allow for the evaluation of dogs seized in dog fighting cases in order to make a final determination as to whether they are dangerous. Orange County's Animal Services Director spoke in support of this amendment in the North Carolina House of Representatives where it passed with only one no vote. Unfortunately, the amendment never came to a vote in the Senate during the 2019 long session. The ASAB worked with staff to develop several other important deliverables. One was the review of applications for the annual Pat Sanford Award (and as needed, outside agency funding applications). Another is developing and sustaining various community partnerships. A good example is the relationship that was created with the Agricultural Preservation Board in regard to the working barn cat program. Another example is the ongoing effort to partner with established community centers in Orange County to build stronger community relations through which various services and resources can become better known. Finally, the ASAB continued to assist the BOCC in ensuring that board vacancies are filled in a timely and effective manner. It routinely makes recommendations to the BOCC based upon interviews with candidates for vacant positions. It also provides each new member with an orientation, which includes an introduction to the board, a review of county policies for boards and commissions, and an overview of Animal Services operations.