09-17-08 Health and Public Safety Committee

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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY ;.September 17, 2008 The September 17, 2008 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Karen L. White at 3:00 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included: Henry Davis, Jr., Don Brubaker, Citizen Member, Gary Gilot, Mayor Luecke, Catherine Toppel, Gary Libbey AGENDA: ANIMAL CONTROL/QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES Karen L. White, Chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee, opened the meeting explaining this was the sixth and last of a series of meetings focusing on quality of life issues. Previous meetings started with an overview of the quality of life review process. The goal was to find out who was responsible for what in terms of implementation of quality of life ordinances this was to be followed by identifying responsibility for enforcement and finally measuring outcomes of the regulations so as to assess their effectiveness. Earlier meetings focused on scrap metal regulations, graffiti, and yard parking. Today's meeting was to focus on animal control issues. Karen emphasized that animal control regulations were a public safety issue. Attempts to assure safe neighborhoods were a prime concern of the Council. Karen explained today's meeting was called in response to news stories and citizen complaints regarding dog attacks. She wanted to measure the city's response assessing any gaps in enforcement. It is critical she pointed out that the legal department code enforcement, and the SBPD be on the same page communicating and cooperating with one another to effectively address threats to the quality of life in the community. Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement responding to Karen's questions as to the challenges NCE faces dealing with animal control provided a handout (attached) illustrating NCE's efforts. She said the dangerous dog ordinance was proving effective. She said the bulk of dog bite reports, however, involve confined dogs and bites of family members. Pit Bulls remain a concern. Pit Bulls are seen as a gang status symbol. Once primarily on the west side of town, Pit Bull complaints have spread to the Southeast and to a lesser extent River Park. Karen White said the Council was concerned about reports of inconsistent enforcement. Sometimes tickets are issued, other times warning suffice. She did say she understood the enforcement process was complicated trying to balance citizen rights and responsibilities. Gary Libbey, head of Animal Control, explained the department's procedures when a complaint was received. Referring to the handout he not only explained the number of cases handled; but also the screening process for adoptable or unadoptable pets. He said we were once of the few communities with breed specific ordinances suggesting it may been to be broadened beyond Pit Bulls. This touches on the nature vs. nurture debate. Karen closed the meeting asserting this and earlier sessions had been both informational and productive. Most importantly these meetings had resulted in more coordination among city departments.