HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2017 AWC Hearing MinutesAnimal Control Commission Minutes August 3, 2017 6:30 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Betsy Culp, Ernest Galos, Rebecca Kaiser, Lynne LoSecco
Citizen Members Present: Council Members Present: None City Staff Present: Jen Gobel, SBACC; Stephanie Steele, Assistant
CityAttorney; Randy Wilkerson, Code Enforcement, Dani Campbell, Commission Attorney Agenda: Meeting called to Order at 6:32 p.m. Minutes
from last meeting and April, 2017 meeting reviewed. Rebecca Kaiser moves to accept minutes for April, 2017. Dr. Culp seconds and passed unanimously 3-0. Dr. Culp moves to accept minutes for July, 2017, Ms. Kaiser seconds, passed unanimously 4-0. Jen Gobel provided a report from SBACC. Intake higher for past month than last year. 116 dogs and 97 cats . Cat special on adoptions. Boxes
of cats dropped off at shelter. 16 cat adoptions. Rescue numbers Struggling to find rescue placement. 21 dog v. 27 cats 32v. 34. Euthanasia close to same as last year. Many cats (22) euthanized due to disease. 34 dogs euthanized v. 28 last year. 61 cats v. 59 last year. Return to owner 33 v. 31 dogs. Almost tripled enforcement numbers but increases numbers of animals in shelter. Six cases will be presented to
Commission soon. Drool in the Pool coming up. Dogs allowed in pool on last day of Kennedy pool. Ms. Kaiser indicates information will be available with Franz Fund and HSUS. Ernest Galos asks if SBACC still appears on television shows. Ms. Gobel indicated yes, on a rotating basis. Radio DJ came in to shelter. Possibility of regular appearances on show to market shelter.
Ms. Kaiser talks about Dog Days of Summer. She will buy candy for SBACC booth. She mentioned approaching merchants to see if they would contribute portion of sales to shelter. Tentatively, will sell pop and water. Jen Gobel talked about t-shirt with I-heart SB animal control version. Will be reviewed for legality.
Randy Wilkerson indicates notices to be brought to Code for delivery. Stephanie and Jen will review cases and get them set. Ms. LoSecco asks about someone combing facebook and ads for backyard breeders and dog fighting. Ms. Gobel indicates there are people monitoring. Going after habitual offenders should help. Ms. Kaiser spoke of how fightingprosecutions up to
prosecutor and that zealous animal advocates interfere in cases, causing them to fall apart. Wants to get information out to animal rights community about legal process. Ms. Steele indicates Ms. Gobel has been turning over information to prosecutor as it comes in. Ms. Kaiser asks if people can be arrested for obstruction
of justice if people interfere in investigations. Ms. Steele indicated it is up to prosecutor and very fact specific. She indicates statute specifically defines
obstruction. Ms. LoSecco suggests selling dog scarves for Notre Dame game. Ms. Steele indicates possible licensing issue. Ernest Galos asked Ms. Gobel if the golf outing fundraiser she had previously proposed for June ever happened. She indicated shelter too busy to get it marketed.
No other fundraisers scheduled. Ernest Galos asked if any reason for number of animals coming into shelter. Ms. Gobel indicates it is seasonal and increased enforcement. More people bringing animals in since euthanasia rate is dropping. Ms. Kaiser mentions breed specific legislation . Indicates veterinarians not giving break to rescues. Suggests shelter would have to get own veterinarian as cost is
rising for outside vets. Taxpayers footing the bill for backyard breeders and puppy mills. Ms. LoSecco asked about chemical neutering. Dr. Culp not aware of it being used here. Spaying and neutering is simple procedure. She indicates there is question of chemicals’ effectiveness. Spaying and neutering also has health benefits that may
not be there with chemicals. Ernest Galos asks if economically feasible to hire vet. Randy Wilkerson indicates he is looking into it. Dr. Culp indicates veterinarians not likely to volunteer much as they see it is revenue loss for them. Ernest Galos asks if there is some veterianarian ethical guideline for volunteer work. Dr. Culp indicates no. Ernest Galos asked
about grants discussed before. Ms. Kaiser indicates Banfield grant not available until we have vet clinic. They have other grants that she is reviewing for appropriate grants. Socio-economic breakdown of South Bend helps in obtaining grants. The next meeting date shall be September 7, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. LoSecco
indicates she will be in Costa Rica. Ms. Kaiser indicates she will e-mail Ms. Leavell. Ms. LoSecco moved for adjournment, Dr. Culpl seconded and the motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.