Animal Services Advisory Board

Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board January 17, 2018 Meeting notes Members present Members absent Chris Hagman Teresa Burks Judy Handley Judith Hill Melodee Myers Stephanie Fisk McCurdy- Board Chairperson Ellen Querner Christy Rafferty City Staff Support Captain Chester Pinkston-WPD Lt. Brian Sigman-Animal Control Robin Bradley –CMO WPD Leadership Chief Gordon Ramsay Deputy Chief Jose Salcido City Council Bryan Frye, District V Community members attending -24 Order of business Meeting called to order at 4:02pm by Chair, Stephanie Fisk McCurdy Minutes of the board meeting, October 18, 2017, were approved. Reports Animal Control report- presented by Lt. Sigman Categories 2016 2017 Difference Total Reclaims 1,866 1,988 122 MORE Transfers 5,159 5,491 332 MORE Euthanasia 2,030 1,619 411 DECREASE Total Intakes 9,055 9,509 454 MORE Bites 593 618 INCREASE OF 25 Attacks 277 341 INCREASE OF 64 Deemed Potentially N/A 35 N/A Dangerous  Deemed Dangerous N/A 151 Pit Bull Bites 231 236 INCREASE OF 5 Pit Bull Attacks 136 200 INCREASE OF 64 Pits Bulls Deemed N/A 16 N/A Potentially Dangerous Pit Bulls Deemed 43 104 INCREASE OF 61 Dangerous Total Bites (BY ALL 1,082 853 DECREASE OF 229 ANIMALS) Spay & Neuter Committee Report- presented by Ellen Querner. Committee considered 3 options: mandatory spay & neuter, licensing of cats and increasing education. They have determined that education is needed regarding the city pit bull ordinance and will share a pamphlet that local vets can provide to their clients. Committee also provided information on the benefits of spaying/ neutering cats by 5th months of age and that many citizens are not aware of this. TNR Committee-Presentation attached Question from public- Are there sufficient resources to provide low cost spay-neuter services? Answer- Spay- Neuter Kansas would likely need an additional vet Recommended action- Board will review the ordinances change that committee suggests and possibly take action at next meeting. New business 2018 Survey-Survey results shared by Captain Pinkston. Results are available on the city web site. https://www.wichita.gov/WPD/SupportServices/Pages/AnimalControl.aspx Questions- What is the plan going forward? Answer- The department is looking at options for adding volunteers to assume some duties, adding kennel tech positions to free officers to respond to calls,. Question- What level of staffing is needed in order to respond to call quicker? Answer- that is not known at this time. Question- Will volunteers alleviate this? Answer- Probably 2018 Board priorities discussion –Board discussed forming subcommittees to research and provide recommendations on: • Decision on TNR • More sub committees • Over population of cats • Over population of pit bulls (dogs) • Implementation of Education-laws, where are S/N low cost available, Animal Shelter education • Veterinarian Services at Animal Services • Friends to the Animal Shelter- 501c3 nonprofit, monies dedicated to Animal Services only • Volunteer program • Do Not Adopt list • Code Enforcement Question (Judy Hill, board member) - What will process for selecting subcommittee members be? Answer – Robin Bradley, City of Wichita staff, will consult with Captain Pinkston & Lt. Sigman to finalize this and report back. Board discussion on how to increase the department budget for vet care. Christy Rafferty will coordinate with Lt Sigman and veterinary community to research ways to increase the pool of vets who respond the RFP for vet services. Rescue update- Representatives from rescue groups (KHS, Beauties and Beasts, K9 Karma, Kansas K9 rescue, Wichita Animal Action League, Friends of Felines, PALs Animal Rescue) shared 2017 numbers. Audience was very appreciative of their efforts. Old business Proposal to add 9th board member- Captain Pinkston shared that a 9th board member will be added; a rescue group member selected by the Chief of Police. An update to the current ordinance will be need to be approved by the City council. Currently, legal department is reviewing a draft and the process to approve is time consuming but all of the steps must be followed. Personnel update- Requisitions for 3 part time kennel techs have been posted on city job site. Agenda creation- The board agenda is created by the board chairperson and posted to city website 1 week prior to scheduled meeting. Board Issues/ Updates District 1 is working to develop a voucher program for spay/ neuter services. Additional Public Comments The Sedgwick County Animal Control Advisory Board has an opening for a 5th District Rep. This board is also looking at the new City of Wichita ordinance on dangerous dogs and how that can implemented in the county. Concern that quarterly meetings do not allow sufficient time for objectives to be met. If additional kennel staff are available, will department reconsider allowing Kuranda beds for pets? Department will reconsider this, based on review of the impact to the shelters drains (will threads clog them?) What can public do to help department obtain additional funding? Next Meeting April 18, 4pm Kansas Humane Society 3313 N Hillside  Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 5:51 pm