Agenda - 12/11/2008 - 7b late - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Staff also expects to use the County's pet license notice to raise awareness of the new tethering ordinance. Over the next year, more specifically, licensing notices will include a highlighted reference to tethering that refers pet owners to the Animal Services website for additional information including the FAQ brochure. Staff believes that this is the most prudent way to use the licensing notices since the cost is small (approximately $150) whereas the cost of a separate mailing just to dog owners would cost approximately $7,500. With regard to the evaluation of the tethering ordinance, staff will prepare and provide progress reports at three (3) 6-month intervals over the initial 18-month period. 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 first two progress reports - in May and November of 2009 -- will provide data on activities during the twelve-month period prior to November 2009 when the tethering amendment actually becomes effective. These reports will concentrate on the outreach activities described above. The report will also present information on animal control and/or animal shelter actions where tethering was a factor. Examples of such data would be whether there were any indications that surrenders were affected by the new ordinance, and if so, in what ways and to what extent. The third progress report will be made in May 2010 at the end of the six-month period in which only warning notices are issued for non-compliance with the new tethering ordinance. However, this report will concentrate on warning phase and process, including the number of warnings issued and responses to said warnings. The report will also provide information on animal control and/or animal shelter actions where tethering is a factor. A final evaluative report regarding the implementation and enforcement of the ordinance restricting tethering will be prepared in November 2010. This report will include the number of complaints and the number of enforcement actions that occur in initial six-month period in which the ordinance is fully effective and fully enforced (May through October 2010). The report will also present other data related to the restriction of tethering under the proposed ordinance amendment such as animal cruelty cases, the enforceability of the three-hour time limit, and matters that arise from contact with the public in the course of the implementation process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs of evaluating the tethering ordinance will be absorbed within the Animal Services departmental budget and staffing complement. The costs of implementing an effective public relations plan across FY2008-09 and FY2009-10 are not expected to exceed $1,500, and these funds can be absorbed within the department budget for those years. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the public relations plan and evaluative process for the amendment restricting the tethering of dogs in Orange County.