Animal Response Team Advisory Committee

Hampton Animal Control Advisory Committee -Lawson Conference Room- Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2020 Voting Members Present: Tiffany Young, Shelly Keller, Victoria Wineland, Linda Davis Ex-Officio Members Present: Steven Bond (Assistant City Manager), Angela Taylor (Animal Control Manager) Staff Present: Annette Oakley (City Manager’s Office), Olivia Wiggins (City Attorney’s Office) Call to Order & Welcome Vice Chair Young called the meeting to order at 5:30. She welcomed new member Linda Davis and asked everyone for introductions. Review Agenda & Approval of Minutes Vice Chair Young stated the draft minutes from January 16, 2020, were distributed for review in advance of the meeting and asked if there were any changes. There being none, she called for a motion to approve. ACTION: Shelly Keller made a motion to approve the minutes as written and Victoria Wineland seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. *Note: City Manager’s Report was deferred to later on the agenda. Animal Control Report Angela Taylor gave a brief update, highlighting the following items:  Regarding staffing, there has been only one or two officers on light duty, but there has been a lower call volume. One officer was attacked by a dog and has been out, but doing well. She stated there was also one resignation, but they have since hired one new officer, as well as posted one position.  Participated in two Academies and various trainings; sea turtle for example.  There is a State-wide change for tethering to include chain length, heat/cool restrictions, etc. (this does not apply to Hampton, as there is no tethering in Hampton).  The State has a dangerous dog update.  Animal Control is doing well and on the road! City Manager’s Report Steven Bond reported the following items:  The City is currently dealing with the pandemic and a tropical storm – other than that things are going well.  He is not sure of upcoming events due to COVID, elections, etc., but City is looking at spending and revenues and hope to have a handle on the budget. City workers are doing an excellent job and making sure we open safely and working towards our ‘new normal’. 1   Thanked Ms. Taylor and Animal Control for continuing to do outstanding work and giving excellent service. Current Issues/Trends Vice Chair Young inquired about oral rabies vaccinations being air dropped in rural Virginia. Ms. Taylor stated they do not usually come here, but she will check onto it. Old Business Paws, Claws & Tails – The event is on hold for now due to the pandemic situation. New Business Schedule of Regular Meetings: Ms. Wiggins stated other than one organizational meeting annually; the bylaws state the committee have one other meeting. There was discussion if the committee wanted to adopt a regular meeting schedule. The committee has typically been meeting every other month, on the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ACTION: Shelly Keller made a motion to meet every other month on the third Thursday and Victoria Wineland seconded. A vote was taken and motion passed. Animal Control Code Amendments: Ms. Wiggins stated she is working on several Animal Control code amendments that she is hoping to take before City Council at their December meeting. The proposal includes several zoning-related items, specifically in the agricultural section. She stated because there have been some citizen concerns; staff realized the code is confusing, so they came up with a proposal. She explained and reviewed some of the codes referenced in the proposal. Ms. Wiggins has a draft and once she has a more concrete idea of where they are, she can share the draft with the committee at the November meeting. Dogs Running at Large: Ms. Wiggins reported the statute currently states any owner or caretaker that permits animals to run at large in the city of Hampton as a Class 2 Misdemeanor (if there is an attack) and Class 4 Misdemeanor for Running at Large. She found that, according to the courts, there needs to be a pattern to prosecute. She stated there are a handful of citizens whose dogs get out often and there needs to be some way to legally track the pattern/history and there needs to be a mechanism to deal with it. Ms. Wiggins stated she discussed with Animal Control, the City Attorney and Police, and they came up with an Unclassified Misdemeanor (a lower level misdemeanor). She asked if there were any comments or questions.  Tiffany Young inquired about a list of items she received from Zoning, but she did not see shelters on the list of updates? Ms. Wiggins stated the code has ‘animal shelter’ as very specific, typically a government entity or non-profit.  Tiffany Young inquired about kennels and home-based rescue. Ms. Wiggins stated animal shelter has its own separate definition and zoning requirements, separate from kennels. Home-based rescue is different from animal shelter. There was an inquiry about regulating home base rescue. Ms. Wiggins stated across the board, animal welfare laws apply; adequate shelter, adequate space, adequate water and food, etc. Ms. Young stated this applies if Animal Control is able to get in the house. Ms. Taylor 2  responded Animal Control can do a welfare check and if refused, they can do a search warrant. Ms. Wiggins reminded the committee that there are limitations in Virginia with The Dillon Rule.  Victoria Wineland inquired about a cruelty situation -- for example a dog with broken limbs but had no care -- are the calls worthwhile? Ms. Taylor responded yes, if treatment is not sought, it is considered neglect and the owner will be charged.  Tiffany Young referenced a horse boarding facility – where the horse was not properly fed, but nothing was done and felt it may have been an officer training issue. Ms. Wiggins stated it would fall under adequate care, which applies to any companion animal. Ms. Taylor mentioned all officers get hands-on training in Virginia Beach for Equine. Closed Session Vice Chair Young entertained a motion to convene a closed meeting pursuant to the exemption from open meetings allowed by Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, to discuss recommendations for appointments to the Animal Control Advisory Committee. ACTION: A motion was made by Shelly Keller and seconded by Victoria Wineland. A vote was taken and motion passes. The doors were closed. Certify Closed Session Vice Chair Young entertained a motion to certify that, to the best of each member’s knowledge: (1) Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under Virginia law were discussed, and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by the Animal Control Advisory Committee. ACTION: A motion was made by Shelly Keller and seconded by Linda Davis. A vote was taken and motion passes. Public Comment No one from the public was in attendance. Next Meeting There was a consensus to hold the next meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment There being no further business, Vice Chair Young adjourned the meeting. 3