HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-16-1997 - 8e i
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No. S—e,
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 16. 1997
SUBJECT: Reappointment of County Animal Cruelty Investigator and Appointment of a Second
Animal Cruelty Investigator
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: NO
BUDGET AMENDMENT: NO
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Kittrell
TELEPHONE NUMBERS: ext. 2300
Hillsborough -732-8181
Chapel Hill -968-4501
Durham -688-7331
Mebane -227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider reappointing the County Animal Cruelty Investigator and appointing an
additional Animal Cruelty Investigator.
BACKGROUND: At the September 6, 1994 Commissioners meeting,the Board appointed an Orange
County Animal Protection Society staff person to serve as the County Animal Cruelty Investigator. The
appointment was made under the provisions of North Carolina General Statutes 19A. The animal
cruelty investigator was appointed to serve without any compensation or other employee benefits for a
one year term subject to removal for cause by the commissioners. On October 2, 1995, the Board
reappointed an APS staff person as the County Animal Cruelty Investigator for a second term. On
September 17, 1996,the Board reappointed Amanda Graham,APS Associate Director, for her third term
and an additional County Animal Cruelty investigator, John Martenis, an APS staff person,to his first
term.
The APS has requested the reappointment of Amanda Graham for her fourth term as the County Animal
Cruelty Investigator and the appointment of Sandy Christiansen, an APS staff person, as the second
animal cruelty investigator to replace John Martenis. North Carolina General Statutes 19A does
authorize the Board to appoint one or more animal cruelty investigators. The second animal cruelty
investigator would be appointed under the same conditions as the first investigator, no compensation and
a term of one year.
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The APS has investigated numerous reports of animal abuse or neglect the past three years. The
designation of a second animal cruelty investigator would improve the efficiency of abuse, neglect and
cruelty investigations. The County Animal Control Division of the Health Department concurs with the
second appointment.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the reappointment and
second appointment of County Animal Cruelty Investigators under N.C.G.S. 19A with the
understanding that as, appointees of the County, the investigators will continue to follow the cruelty
investigation protocol as agreed to by the County and APS, and will be subject to County review as is
customary for any County appointed representatives.
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A ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY
�. -. 1061 AIRPORT ROAD • CHAPEL HILL. NORTH CAROLINA 27514
TELEPHONE 91 9-967-7363 FAX 91 9-967-751 7
August 14, 1997
Mr. William Crowther
372 St . Mary' s Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear Mr . Crowther,
Nearly three years ago, in September of 1994, the Orange County
Commissioners appointed me as an Animal Cruelty Investigator
under NCGS 19A-45 . As you recall, this statute outlines a civil
procedure to address cases of animal cruelty. This civil
procedure can be used alone, or a criminal charge may also be
made against the Defendant . The main benefit, however, is that
the statute allows for issuance of a simple Seizure Order through
a magistrate once probable cause has been demonstrated. The
appointed Animal Cruelty Investigator can then execute the Order,
with or without assistance from law enforcement, and
expeditiously get an animal out of a dangerous or life
threatening situation.
Since my initial appointment, the Seizure Order has been used
effectively in more than 25 investigations . Approximately half
of the cases have been successfully resolved in court, with the
remainder being mediated in the animals ' best interest without
courtroom intervention.
The 19A statute states that "the board of county commissioners is
authorized to appoint one or more animal cruelty investigators . . . "
and in September of last year, you responded favorably to my
request for a second appointee, John Martenis . A few months ago,
Mr. Martenis left the APS to work for Durham Animal Control, and
I have been handling all requests for 19A intervention, both from
our own staff and Orange County and Carrboro Animal Control
units . It has been a busy, but rewarding time.
APS would like to nominate APS Investigator Sandy Christiansen as a
second appointed animal cruelty investigator.
Mr. Christiansen has worked for the APS for four and a half years
and has broad experience and training in all areas of animal
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welfare and animal cruelty investigation. He has attended
national investigation workshops sponsored by the Humane Society
of the United States and North Carolina State University, as well
as forty hours of training at the National Animal Control
Academy. Most recently, Christiansen was trained by state
veterinarian Lee Hunter as a Certified Rabies Vaccinator, an
appointment that requires responsible decision making ability and
sound judgement .
Christiansen' s field experience is comprehensive, investigating
some 500 cases, and his testimony in court has been professional
and compelling on behalf of the animals . He supervises the APS
after hours Emergency Animal Rescue Service and has an excellent
rapport with people from all walks of life.
I ask that you renew my appointment under NCGS 19A-45 and
consider my request to give Sandy Christiansen a second
appointment . I am confident that he will serve the animals and
the people of Orange County with compassion, respect and
commitment .
Si cerely,
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Amanda Graham
Associate Director
County-appointed Animal Cruelty Investigator
c: John Link
Albert Kittrell
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