Agenda - 11-18-2008 - 6b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 The Animal Services Department is developing a comprehensive public information campaign and expects to begin with flyers and display advertisements immediately after the amendment is adopted and continue throughout the 18 months to ensure maximum saturation. The public information campaign will also include notification of community resources and options available to those who wish to adapt from tethers to other means of confinement. Resources currently include assistance in fence building offered by the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. Staff is researching other options. Media releases and public service announcements will also be sent to the newspapers and radio stations serving Orange County. The Department proposes, in response to the BOCC request for regular information reports, to prepare and provide progress reports at three (3) 6-month intervals over the initial 18-month period. The first two progress reports would provide data on outreach activities and animal control and/or animal shelter actions where tethering was a factor. The third progress report would be made at the end of the "warning only" phase and it would cite the number of warnings issued. The Department also proposes to provide an evaluative report to the BOCC one full year after the effective date of ordinance amendment (6 months "warning only" and 6 months full enforcement.) The evaluative report would include the number of complaints, enforcement actions, and other data related to the restriction of tethering under the proposed ordinance amendment. Animal Services will submit as a Report on the BOCC agenda for December 11. 2008 its complete public information campaign and specific data to be included in its regular progress and evaluative reports. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs of enforcing the new tethering provisions, if enacted, are believed to be readily absorbed within the Animal Services departmental budget and staffing complement. This expectation is based upon discussions with animal control authorities in other jurisdictions with similar tethering regulations and the belief that effective public relations and outreach can facilitate a transition in standards of animal care. Staff estimates that the total costs, across FY2008-09 and FY2009-10, will not exceed $1,500. Funds needed to initiate public relations and outreach can be absorbed within the department budget for those years. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the proposed ordinance amendment on the tethering of dogs.