MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF
THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD
The ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD met TUESDAY, Dec.13, 2005, at 3:00 P.M. in
the Public Services Building.
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Rufus Riggs Drale Short Jean McKee
Penny Leigh Short Cynthia Maisano
Dr. Patrice Dunn Tom Bryan Guest:
Dr. Phillip Brewer Kathy McCarley Donna Rex - PAWS
Dr. Nonie Eakle
One (1) Vacancy
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS PRESENT
Officer Gerald Stewart
Officer Ed Pascucci
CALL TO ORDER
Tom Bryan, called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M.
Tom Bryan presented the minutes of the last meeting; Rufus Riggs moved they be
approved as written; Penny Short seconded; approval was unanimous.
Tom Bryan called for the Dangerous Dog Hearing ? Jerry Foster.
Drale Short informed the board of that this was the 3rd bite for this dog and
that it had went before the board on the 2nd bite.
Office Stewart stated that the dog was aggressive and very territorial. He
informed the board that when he picked the dog up for impoundment, the dog
acted aggressive toward him but calmed down when the owner came up.
Tom Bryan asked Officer Stewart in his opinion was the dog dangerous.
Officer Stewart answered, yes.
Officer Pascucci stated he followed up on the bite report and authorized home
quarantine because the bite wound was minor and Ms Foster was upset that the
dog would be taken away.
The board asked about classifying the dog dangerous; Rufus Riggs read the
ordinance of classifying the dog dangerous to the board. He stated according
to the ordinance we could not classify the dog ?Dangerous? without first
classifying it ?Potentially Dangerous?.
Tom Bryan asked the severity of the 2nd bite.
Officer Stewart stated it was only a scratch.
Tom Bryan called for the victim, but he was not present.
Tom Bryan called for the owners.
Tom Bryan asked the Fosters why the dog was allowed out after he had bitten
twice before.
Mr. Foster stated his wife and grandson went to get a ball to play and another
child came up and tried to pet the dog and he bit him.
Ms. Foster stated the child was in their yard when the dog bit and that the dog
never leaves the back yard.
Mr. Foster said the dog is a gentle dog with everyone except the children.
Mr. Foster?s son stated that the children are always aggravating the dog.
Tom Bryan asked Mr. Foster if he had read the ordinance for ?Potentially
Dangerous? dog and if he felt his dog was potentially dangerous.
Mr. Foster answered; no, he does not feel his dog is dangerous.
Tom Bryan asked if the board had any other questions; the board had none.
Tom Bryan asked the Foster?s to step outside while the board discussed the case
and make a decision.
Kathy McCarley informed the board of the confinement for the dog.
Rufus Riggs stated that this was the 3rd incident for this dog and he felt it
was the board?s responsibility to the community to protect the children.
Rufus Riggs moved to classify the dog as ?Potentially Dangerous?; the vote was
unanimous.
Tom Bryan informed the Fosters of the board?s decision.
Rufus Riggs informed the Fosters that if their dog bites again with the
classification of ?Potentially Dangerous? that it could be classified
?Dangerous?.
Rufus Riggs informed the board of a nuisance complaint against a veterinarian.
The board discussed the possibility of requesting an ordinance amendment to add
?others with temporary custody? to the ?Nuisance Control? ordinance.
Nonie Eakle said she could not agree if the Vet were located in the areas
properly zoned for Veterinaries.
Phillip Brewer asked if you are zoned commercial, does that exempt you from
creating a nuisance.
Rufus Riggs stated he felt the problem was with out door kennels.
Drale Short explained to the board how the Vet would not discuss the problem
with the complaining party and that the complaining party was asking for
assistances from Animal Control.
Drale Short informed the board that this complaint was definitely coming from
the vet clinic.
The majority, Penny Short, Nonie Eakel, Patrice Dunn, and Cynthia Maisano,
voted not to amend the ordinance.
Tom Bryan discussed overpopulation of animals and suggestions to make a change
in our community.
Tom Bryan asked Rufus Riggs for comments.
Rufus Ruggs suggested that the board develop a strategy on what we want done
and how we are going to do this.
The board suggested community meetings, more staffing for Animal Control so
they could do a better job.
Rufus Riggs informed the board that the city does not have the funds to
increase Animal Control, but feels that the board is moving in the right
direction.
The board discussed the need for education on spay/neuter. The use of the
Internet for education was discussed.
Nonie Eakle asked for ideas on programs that could get the public?s attention.
Rufus Riggs suggested the board meet again in sixty (60) days with ideas for
education. The board agreed.
Tom Bryan adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
December 16, 2005
Tom Bryan, Chairman
Sylvia Bennett, Recording Secretary
C: Clerk of Council
ACAB Member
Attachments
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