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Olo Iljr atom i Olounril atilt OltIg of fnlillj lurid: INFORMAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
The South Bend Common Council held an informal meeting on June 26 , 1984
which was called to order by its ' President , Councilman Beverlie Beck at
3 ; 00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilman Puzzello , Braboy, Zakrzewski ,
and Beck, Kathy Barnard, Carolyn Pfotenhauer, Esther Krogel, Dortha VanLinda
Carol VanLinda, James Varga, Joyce McFadden , Teresa Corey Sukup , Anne Bailey ,
Lane Gyer , Pat Bilello , Angela Russo , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council President Beck noted that the purpose of the meeting was to
discuss possible revisions to the animal control ordinances. She noted that
last year the City experienced a problem with wolves and this year there were
several serious Bite;- cas°es
Kathy Barnard then outlined the major areas of concern. These
included vicious dogs and the ability to deal with them through a specific
procedure. The second area concerned wild animals and would need input as to
which ones should be allowed and which ones should be prohibited. The third
area concerned the number of animals allowed within a household. The fourth .
area concerned problems of animals running at large and becoming a public
nuisance. The fifth area was the possibility of having inspectors deputized
so that they would be allowed to issue tickets. Considerations of the Humane
Society should also be considered , and President Beck noted that specific
licensing provisions like the one in Benton Harbor should be carefully
reviewed. Teresa Sukup of the Humane Society then passed out several pictures
showing how animals have been shot , poisoned, and how they have become victims
of their owners irresponsibility. She noted that her office has over 10 ,000
complaint files but stressed that the real problems are the people who own the
animals. She stated that Ft. Wayne has a model ordinance which addresses
unprovoked attacks and several other important aspects of animal control.
Mr. Varga, a former animal control officer, voiced .concer.n. about
enforcement procedures and noted that several items like the ones discussed
today were addressed in 1976 when the ordinance was outdated.
Mrs . Barnard talked about the Code Enforcement hearing process and
how it helped to resolve neighborhood problems and proved to be fairly
successful
Councilman Zakrzewski and several citizens in the audience voiced
concern about animal complaints that were not factually true.
The Council Attorney noted that in 1976 there was a .joint committee
made up of St . Joseph County officials, Mishawaka and South Bend officials
and Humane Society representatives to study the -entire area of animal control.
The South Bend ordinance thereafter reflected many of the changes recommended
by the Committee. She also noted that Mishawaka passed a licensing ordinance
which addressed both dogs and cats whereas South Bend only licensed dogs. She
also showed a copy of ads taken out in the South Bend Tribune for five (5)
days each January advertising that licenses could be procured at various malls
and supermarkets throughout the community. She also stressed the need for
cooperation between the various governmental entities.
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Informal Meeting of the Common Council
Carolyn Pfotenhauer noted that she had sent a letter to President
Beck dated March 6 , 1984 which outlined several areas of concern. These included
licensing, enforcement problems , bite cases , and several other matters.
She also noted that code enforcement follows up on checking for licensing.
She noted the procedure used in Traffic and Misdemeanor Court for ordinance
violations.
Teresa Sukup noted that in 1983 the City licensed approximately
300 dogs. The Humane Society adopted out approximately 1 ,500 animals that same
year. All of them received a temporary release allowing the owner to get the
animal vaccinated and to procure a license within five (5) days . ;
Councilman Beck suggested door to door licensing procedures but others
noted that the cost would be prohibited. She also recommended that the
rabies aspect be separated from the licensing aspect if at all possible.
Councilman Puzzello suggested looking into a mass production of
issuing rabies shots similar to the procedure used for immunizing children
against polio . Councilman Braboy voiced concern about lack of enforcement
and harrassment of persons who do voice complaints.
Mrs. Pfotenhauer and Mrs . Farrand both stressed the need for taking
into consideration the public health and safety concerns of the citizens
and the animals when legislating in this area.
Councilman Beck noted that we can control barking cases through the
noise control ordinance and that greater' public awareness and cooperation
between the police department was needed.
It was suggested that an educational program for owners be suggested
for those who violate the animal control ordinances . In this way hopefully
the owners would become more responsible. It was also suggested that a draft
ordinance addressing vicious animals , wild animals and specific enforcement
procedures be drafted by the legal department no later than mid-August . It
was also suggested that the Council Attorney review the licensing provisions
specifically addressing both dogs and cats , changing the time when licenses are
required, and to see if the rabies aspect can be separated from the licensing.
It was noted that the City of Elkhart uses a post-card licensing application.
Council President Beck suggested a "pooper-scooper"provision and a property
damage provision.
Council President thanked everyone in attendance for coming and
requested them to send in any other suggestions they might have. The meeting
was adjourned at 4 : 25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted ,
Beverlie J. Beck, President