Animal Response Team Advisory Committee

Hampton Animal Control Advisory Committee -Lawson Conference Room- Meeting Minutes - March 21, 2019 Present: AndyAnderson/ Dan Winters, Melanie Paul/ Gordy Brightbill/ Shelley Keller/ Steven Bond, Angela Taylor/ (Staff) Annette Oakley [City Manager's Office], Olivia Wiggins [City Attorney's Office]/ Deborah North [Interpreter] Call to Order & Welcome Vice Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Review Agenda & Approval of Minutes Vice Chairman Anderson stated the draft minutes from January 17, 2019, were distributed for review in advance of the meeting. There being no changes, he called for a motion to approve. ACTION: Dan Winters made a motion to approve the minutes as written and Gordie Brightbill seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. City Manager's Report Steven Bond stated the City Manager has not yet given her proposed budget to City Council. He stated revenues have increased per the Finance Director. He also stated this is probably the first budget in the eleven years that he has been with the City, that there are no significant budget cuts. Mr. Bond also mentioned facilities will be working on the water pipes this evening, cutting off the water in the building at around 7:30 p.m. He stated the meeting needs to be concluded by that time and suggested moving the closed session item to the next meeting in order to wrap up in time for the work to be done. Animal Control Report Angela Taylor gave an update on staffing, reporting they have been operating with two Animal Control officers on the road, as one is on ieave and three are in training. The three officers in training will be graduating tomorrow and will be back on the road/ which will make full staffing starting Monday. She stated staff has been able to handle over 237 calls and maintain their hours. She mentioned the training is mandated by the State and it has to be completed during the first year of hire. Ms. Taylor stated they were able to do the training locally/ which saved money. Mr. Brightbill inquired about the training. Ms. Taylor stated the training consists of animal descriptions, types of disease/ detecting cruelty, agricultural/ liability, search and seizure, etc. Mr. Anderson mentioned hearing about a vicious dog on nextdoor.com. Ms. Taylor stated she was not aware. Ms. Paul inquired about the new law the Governor recently signed regarding animal cruelty. Ms. Wiggins stated she doesn't think it will effect Hampton too much, but there will be some change in the way the City Attorney's Office is dealing with it, particularly with extreme cruelty. Ms. Paul inquired about the Animal Control report regarding animal cruelty. Ms. Taylor explained the information is actually from the Crime Analysis (HPD) and the information is not broken down on the report. Ms. Wiggins explained further, for information/ the animal cruelty law. Current Issues/Trends - No Report Old Business Debrief of 2018 ACAC Community Education Forum - Paws, Claws & Tails: Vice Chairman Anderson reviewed some lessons learned and his thoughts and suggestions for future events. He also displayed and reviewed the assessment forms from the exhibitors and guests (copies on file). Committee members shared comments on the event as well/ which included the following: • More time needed to mingle (announce a time to do so) - possibly separate presentation room • Bottled water (snacks) requested • Wildlife and Animal Control are important presenters to have again next time • Consider having the event on a Saturday so more people can attend • Communicate any facility/set-up concerns with PRLS (host location) to address prior to event • Do a check list for next time • There may be issues/trends that come up on Nextdoor.com/ for example, that the committee decides to address at future events Ms. Wiggins reminded the committee that documents presented at the meeting are public information. Ms. Taylor mentioned the Hampton City Schools has a campaign online called Peach Jar, which advertises and notifies schools of such things as events. The cost is $25.00 for one school; $450.00 for 20 schools; $1,275.00 for 60 schools; etc. There are no discounts and events are posted with School Board approval. New Business Abuse of Animal Medications: Ms. Paul inquired if there has been a spike in abuse of medications. Ms. Taylor stated Animal Control would not deal with this, but rather the Police Department. She did ask around and checked with vets; Dr. McKelvin had seen it a few times and Dr. Hallard (PRAS) advised that she had seen a situation in the Hampton Roads area/ but it's not something Animal Control is commonly involved with. Ms. Paul inquired if an owner came in with a 'fake' illness, would the vet report it to the Police. Ms. Taylor responded, it depends if there is an injury or not; she explained various situations. She stated it is very difficult to determine, without the veterinarian's documentation and testimony. Ms. Paul stated medications are given to pets, but one cannot always tel! if a pet is still in pain; how does a vet determine? Ms. Taylor stated animals are good at hiding pain and it is difficult to tell; her advice would be to follow the doctor's orders. Animal Licenses: Ms. Paul referred to an article regarding animal licenses and provided a copy for each member (copy on file). She inquired about The Cattery. Ms. Taylor stated it is a kennel for cats; a place for boarding/ breeding, showing, etc. There was some discussion on spaying, neutering and licenses. Ms. Paul inquired about dog kennels. Ms. Taylor stated a kennel could befor hunting dogs/show dogs or breeding service dogs. She stated the City Attorney's Office is currently working on a kennel project. Ms. Wiggins clarified that people do not have to have a kennel license if they are personal dogs; in Hampton^you can have an unlimited number of personal cats and dogs. Mr. Bond reminded the committee of the discussion regarding limiting the number of animals and it was decided not to have a limit, which was voted on by City Council. Ms. Wiggins stated many people don't know they are supposed to have a license for their pets; she is in court on a weekly basis for people not having the licenses/which is a criminal offense. Mr. Winters feels we need to get the information out about pet licenses and suggested the committee brainstorm some ideas and advise City Council. Some suggestions to get the information out would be through vets, pet stores, kiosk/ posters, etc. Ms. Paul suggested discussing this further at the next meeting. Ms. Paul inquired how often Animal Control inspects The Cat Corner's cat colony. Ms. Taylor responded Animal Control goes atleast once a year, unless there is a complaint. She stated they are also required to do chicken keeping permits inspections, as well as pet store inspections, which is on top of regular calls, reports, etc. Rescue Organizations: Ms. Paul referred to discussion at the last meeting regarding rescue organizations. She inquired how Animal Control plans to follow up on the rescues. Ms. Taylor stated Animal Control cannot regulate 5013C organizations, but they can make sure - under Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) - that they are legally reporting the number of animals that they are in-taking to the State vets office. She referred to the VDACS online information, which she displayed and reviewed with the committee. Mr. Brightbill inquired about the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (PRAS). Ms. Wiggins stated any animals picked up by Animal Control goes to PRAS and would be under their numbers. Ms. Taylor stated if there is a euthanize number for Animal Control, it is because it was transferred to the vet. Possible New City Law: Ms. Paul proposed a law for the City to keep cats indoors/ with the exception of cat colonies. She shared concern about there being too many cats picked up. Vice Chair Anderson inquired of Animal Control if there would be any problems to police cats. Ms. Taylor stated even adding more Animal Control officers would not make a dent in the cat population. She also mentioned it would put a bias on the other indoor/outdoor cats. Mr. Winters felt the proposal is impractical and unenforceable, and would not address the current cat problems. He stated the number of cats isa problem/ but will not be resolved with another law. Ms. Paul stated she would like the City to pass a law to keep cats indoors. Vice Chair Anderson asked if there was a consensus to discuss this further at the next meeting. Mr. Winters suggested, for the next agenda, that the committee begin a meaningful/ practical dialogue to address excessive number of free-roaming cats in Hampton. Ms. Wiggins stated when, and if, the committee proposes something, she would have to vet it from a legal prospective to find out if we have the legal authority. She stated in Virginia/ you can only pass a law if the legislature says you can pass a law. Public Comment - No Report Next Meeting There was a consensus to hold the next meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Bond stated Ms. Paul's term expires in March and on behalf of the City and City Council, he appreciates her service on this committee. He also thanked Ms. North for providing interpreting services. Adjournment Vice Chairman Anderson called for a motion to adjourn. Dan Winters made the motion and Shelley Keller seconded.