HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 25, 2012
Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Advisory Board Members: Julie Tillery, Jerry Maccario, B. B. Langham,
Lorna Barrett; AAS staff: Sharon Broady, Priscilla Crisler, Edward Jefferson, Diane
Downs; Guests: Aimee S. Murphy, Jennifer White, Deborah Prince, Lori Saner
The Advisory Board meeting began at 5:55 on April 25, 2012. The minutes from
the last meeting were read and approved as written. As these minutes contained
information concerning the proposed Title 4 ordinance changes, several meeting
guests asked for copies of the ordinances. Ms. Broady referred these individuals
online.
There were several guests attending the meeting; they asked if they could
become members of the advisory board. They were told that membership to the
board was by commissioner appointment and advised to inform the
commissioner representing their district that they wanted to serve on the board.
They were also advised to complete a talent bank form. B. B. Langham stated
that this would be one way that the board would get enough members for a
quorum, as the commissioners did not seem inclined to choose anyone to serve
from their districts despite his continued asking. He also stated that the next
commission meeting would be held on 5-1-12 and that this could possibly be
presented to them during the meeting.
Warnings were discussed. Officer Jefferson discussed the procedure for giving
warnings. Ms. Tillery questioned why warnings should be given to animal owners
up to 3 times prior to taking stronger action. It was explained that AAS is
committed to educating the public, by informing them of the ordinance before
writing citations. After discussion the board decided that Animal Control should
continue to have discretion on warning protocol.
Several board members questioned exactly how much money comes back to
Animal Control. Ms. Broady stated that this information could be requested
through the open records act. It was also stated that although monies from
adoptions, donations, and Sentinel Probation come to animal control, many funds
go to the general fund rather than to the department.
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Responsible dog ownership was discussed. Ms. Tillery questioned what was being
done about Pit bulls. This generated discussion about the breed’s temperament,
how the dogs are raised by the owners and training of the animals. This also led
to a discussion of adoption procedures for pit bulls. Ms. Crisler stated that usually
sincere owners looking to adopt pit bulls will adopt the dog regardless of the
animal being spayed or neutered. She also stated that when a questionable
potential owner finds out that the dogs purchased from the shelter are spayed or
neutered that the individual will leave because the dog cannot be bred.
Dog fighting protocol was also discussed. Officer Jefferson stated that although
animal control officers can write citations for dog fighting, the sheriff’s
department’s citations carry more weight because they are felony charges rather
than ours being misdemeanor charges. Officer Jefferson also stated that some
members of the Sheriff’s Department were not always willing to write these
citations. Animal Cruelty was also discussed. Officer Jefferson explained to the
group the officer’s procedure for handling these calls. Some members also spoke
against breed bans. At present, all breeds of dogs can be owned in
Augusta/Richmond County but the owners must obey the Title 4 Ordinances.
Board member B. B. Langham questioned the pet adoption rate with our reduced
fees as opposed to adoptions at our regular price range. These figures were
provided to the group. Several reports were also discussed at this time; to
include adoption rates, rabies deposits, and revenue. Also, figures from a
quarterly report were given to the group.
Ms. Barrett and Ms. Laurie Saner asked if the shelter used such tests as Combo
testing for cats (a test for Feline aids and Feline Leukemia). Ms. Crisler stated that
the shelter did not perform these tests; as the cost is $9.00 per test. Several
attendees (Ms. Barrett, Ms. Saner, Ms. Murphy, Ms. White) then asked for the
shelters assistance with setting up feral cat/community colonies (i.e. people feed
these cats, have them spayed or neutered, and release them back into the area;
known as TNR, or trap and release). Ms. Broady denied this request; stating that
this would be a conflict of interest. The suggestion was made by another member
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to put a proposal together and present it to the commission. It was further
suggested that the colonies be established without telling animal control.
Dog training was also discussed. Ms. Crisler stated that there have been several
dogs adopted from the shelter that are involved in such activities as Therapy Dog
training, sniffing out illegal substances for various agencies, Service dog training
and police dog training.
Volunteer Services was also discussed. The group asked the minimum age that a
person could volunteer their time at the shelter. Ms. Broady stated that anyone
18 years old and older would be eligible to volunteer at the shelter.
Special adoption programs were next discussed. Ms. Crisler stated that in the
past the shelter has conducted such offsite and/or special event adoptions as Ani-
mania and adoptions at Wal-Mart; weekly adoptions are held at Pet Smart and
Fort Gordon has held four adoption events since Christmas 2011. It is possible
that the shelter may conduct some in the future.
B. B. Langham questioned the animal control information being placed in the
water bills. Ms. Broady stated that she would re-investigate this issue. Slogans
for use in these inserts will be made and presented at the next meeting.
Mr. Maccario then asked why animals slated for euthanasia are not being fed.
Ms. Tillery and Ms. White then asked if the shelter had enough food to feed the
animals. Ms. Broady stated yes, the shelter had food and that this was her
decision; animals are fed at approximately 8:30 or 9:00 and put to sleep an hour
or so later. The suggestion was made to pull these animals prior to feeding the
other animals.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm, with the next meeting scheduled for 6-
13-12 at 5:30.
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