Animal Welfare Committee

Animal Welfare Committee Meeting October 24, 2019 Davis Hall Term Exp Members Present Absent Staff Vivian Cooper X 2/28/2021 Taimi Anderson X 4/30/2021 Suzie Bellamy X 10/31/2023 Lisa Ealley X 10/31/2023 Christine Nagle X 03/26/2023 Kathy Rodeffer X 2/28/2021 Patti Stange X 3/31/2020 Dave Turley X 3/26/2023 Kennis Termini X 04/09/2023 Bram Turner X Also present: Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm by Ms. Bellamy, Co-chair. Welcome to the two newest members: Christine Nagle and Lisa Ealley. Ms. Ealley was unable to attend tonight. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and a motion was made by Ms. Rodeffer to accept it. Mr. Turley seconded the motion. Motion carries 6-0-0. 2. The September 26, 2019 minutes were reviewed, and a motion was made by Ms. Rodeffer to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Turley seconded the motion. Motion carries 6-0-0. 3. AWC Report from Ms. Cooper a. AWC Donation Account – $10,180 (No change from September 2019) b. Fosters/Petco i. Lady (AKA Pearl), Stevie – foster with Ms. Rodeffer ii. Julian – Petco [potential adoption pending for Saturday, October 26] c. Petco – Cat Castle i. The cat habitat is still not repaired. Ms. Cooper has emailed Petco Corporate HQ and is waiting for a reply. 4. Municipal Scene Articles a. Appropriate shelter – November – Kathy. Following agreement on November article, discussion took place on potentially using Styrofoam coolers for feral cats. b. Hazardous Human food – December – Suzie. c. January’s subject for an article is tabled until the City and Count codes are completed, and the public hearing is conducted on November 19. 5. Approval has been granted to hold the Microchip and Rabies clinic at Davis Hall on November 17 from 10am- 2pm. For College Park residents showing ID, rabies shots and microchips are free; non-residents will be $10 for rabies shots and $20 for microchips. The City Event Planner will create a flyer and create social media presence. The vet has been confirmed. We will be able to partition off the room. The vet will be behind the partition. We will have people and their animals come in the door closest to the entrance and leave out the  door behind the partition. Rescue organizations will be contacted for literature to display. Mr. Turley made a motion to offer up to a total 20 adoptable animals with our rescue group partners, such as PAW, for free rabies shots and/or microchip. Each group will be given an opportunity for up to five (5) animals. Ms. Termini seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. Ms. Rodeffer made a motion, based on City Clerk’s approval, to spend up to $300 for refreshments from the AWC Account. Mr. Turley seconded. Motion carries 6-0-0. Ms. DeWalt agreed to contact the bagel shop across from the University of Maryland for refreshments. 6. Continued discussion on potential changes for the City Code. Ms. Cooper and Ms. Rodeffer reviewed several municipalities animal codes. The City codes cannot negate the county laws, but the City can have stiffer codes. Discussed reinstating the Animal Control Board to hear complaints. Ms. Rodeffer stated she would continue to work on a draft revision of the code and welcomes all comments and suggestions. A further review will be done at the November meeting. a. Discussion points made at meeting: i. Nuisance condition. An Animal Control Board can prohibit someone from owning a dog for five years. This is a cut and dry definition. ii. Cut vicious and use dangerous. An Animal Control Board deems an animal dangerous; an Animal Control Offices can cite as potentially dangerous. iii. Need to have proactive laws. iv. Weather conditions for housing animals outside – want to use county laws or update city laws for stricter enforcement? v. Currently have a dog or cat in a locked car is a traffic violation. The Animal Control officer has to call the police, EMT, Fire department, etc. to open the car. Should this ruling be changed? What kind of verbiage needs to be inserted to allow the ACO to open a car for animals in distress? vi. Animal Control Board is a board of residents who hears complaints on animal issues. The Board could also be the Animal Welfare Committee. Need to decide what to put in the city code. Work on appeal route if someone wants to appeal the decision made by the ACB or AWC. 7. Prince George’s County Pit Bull Ban repeal letter was sent to Mayor and Council. The public hearing will be on November 19. 8. There is a free webinar on TNR – “Return to the field - What is it, why do it and how” – on November 9 at 2:00pm. 9. The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 7:30pm in Davis Hall. This will be the final meeting for 2019. Ms. Termini made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Anderson. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.