HomeMy WebLinkAbout Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 25, 2012
Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Advisory Board Members: Linda Finnegan, B. B. Langham, Jerry Maccario; and AAS
Staff: Sharon S. Broady, Priscilla Crisler, Edward Jefferson, and Diane Downs
The Advisory Board Meeting began at 5:30 on January 25, 2012. The minutes from the last
meeting were read and approved.
Mrs. Broady appeared before commissioners at Public Safety Committee meeting (11/28/11)
concerning Advisory Board appointments for the committee. Thus far, no new members have
been appointed. B. B. Langham stated that the commissioners from districts 1 and 5 would be
up for re-election, and that commissioners from districts 3, 7, and 9 were nearing the end of
their terms. Hopefully new board member appointment would come from the new members.
Mrs. Broady also discussed the asbestos survey and demolition of the old shelter. She stated
that asbestos was found in the floor and the ceilings. Mrs. Broady further stated that
demolition of the old building will be done at no charge.
Adoption Price Holiday Special was discussed. Approval was obtained from Administrator to
drop adoption prices to $50.00 for all animals from Nov 28 through Dec 31, 2011. Mrs. Crisler
reported that the December Adoption total was 132. The special fee was extended to January
31, 2012; and it is felt by all that the price drop has made a difference in moving our animals.
Adoption prices were compared between Nov 28 – Dec 31, 2010 (80) and the same period in
2011 (132). The board members also asked if the lower price could be further extended or
permanent. Mrs. Broady stated that this would have to be presented to the commission for
their approval. B. B. Langham asked for comparison statistics for December through January
adoptions for 2010 and 2011. Jerry Maccario asked for a breakdown of costs (i.e. spay/neuter).
Mrs. Crisler stated that rabies vaccinations cost $4.03; and that she would provide a further
cost breakdown at the next meeting. Further discussion revealed that 2 dogs adopted from
animal control have special designations. One dog, a Labrador/pit bull mix, is now in training as
a Service Dog. The second animal, a beagle, has graduated from Detection Services from the
department of agriculture.
The Animal Services monthly report was next discussed and the statistics were reported to the
board members. It was recommended that a recheck of the Euthanasia statistic be done.
The Proposed Ordinance Changes were discussed. The following changes were recommended:
Page 2; Adequate Shelter: Delete ‘Rubber Flap as door cover’ and ‘metal drums’ and
‘porches’ as inadequate shelters.
Page 3; Animal Services Facility: Add ‘Exchange Club Fairgrounds’ as a facility for
disaster relief.
Page 3; Animal Services Officer: At present, our officers are not duly sworn. We will
discuss this with the Legal Department.
Page 3; Dogs running at large: This will be changed to ‘Animals Running at Large’.
Page 4; Hoarding: Hoarding is defined as a psychological disorder bordering on an
obsessive/compulsive behavioral pattern. Discussion by members recommended changing this
section to “Legal Limit of Pets.” It was also stated that the Health Department defines the legal
limit of pets (Health Ordinance 98). It was decided to discuss this with the Legal Department.
Page 4; Impoundment: Delete and ‘services’ from sentence and substitute ‘care’.
Page 4; Livestock: Change sentence to read ‘Fowl and rabbits are not included’ in this
definition.
Page 4; Necessary Veterinary Care: Make this section specific to the owner of the
animal. Also, check with the Legal Department as to giving the owner a time limit to seek
veterinary care for their animal.
Page 4; Police Officer: Delete ‘unincorporated’ from sentence.
Page 4; Potentially Dangerous Dog: Delete both ‘provoked and unprovoked’ from their
respective sentences.
Page 5; Severe Injury: Omit ‘cosmetic surgery’ from sentence.
Page 5; Vicious Dog: The suggestion was made to combine this section with the
Dangerous Dog section.
Page 5; Section Penalties for Violation of Article: Change sentence to read
Augusta/Richmond County.
Page 6; Restraint, Number 3: Change sentence to read ‘It is on a leash and under the
services of the owner’ instead of ‘competent person’.
Page 6; Restraint, section C, number 1: Change sentence to read ‘an animal may be
tethered outdoors unattended for not more than 1 consecutive hour in a 24 hour period.’
Page 7; Restraint, number 3: Discuss this section with the Legal Department.
Page 7; Restraint, number 4: Dog cannot be walked off the owner’s property.
Page 7; Section E, Guard or Protection Dogs: Discussion was held on whether or not to
license these animals and/or to eliminate the fees. It was decided to discuss this with the Legal
Department.
Page 8; Guard or Protection Dogs, number 3: Delete this section.
Page 9; Adoptions: Add ‘Augusta Animal Services has the right to refuse adoption’ to
this section.
Page 10; Disposition of Impounded Animals: In section a, ‘eliminate mailing of notice’.
In section b, delete ‘advanced’ from first sentence. In the last sentence, change ‘every attempt’
to ‘an attempt’.
Page 10; Humane Disposal, section a, first sentence: Change from ‘5 days to 3 days’;
discuss this with the Legal Department. Also delete the second sentence through the top of
page 11.
The Advisory board will meet on February 2, 2012, at 5:00 pm, to complete the Ordinances.
The meeting will be held in the Animal Services Break Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35, with the next Advisory Board meeting to be held on April
25, 2012, at 5:30 pm, in the Animal Services Break Room.