HomeMy WebLinkAboutUnapproved January meeting summary1
Orange County Animal Services
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-942-PETS (7387)
ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Warren Porter (Chair), Judy Miller, Caroline Green, Maureane Hoffman (Vice-Chair), Susan
Elmore, Michael Stewart, Michelle Walker, Aviva Scully, Molly Mullins, Dewana Anderson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Arthur Sprinczeles, Beth Grooms
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director)
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Agenda: Susan moves to accept the agenda as is; Caroline seconds. All vote in favor.
Summary of November 18, 2015 meeting: Warren moves to accept the minutes as is; Caroline seconds. All
vote in favor.
General Public Comments on items not on the agenda: None.
ASAB Affairs
(A) Potentially Dangerous Dog Hearings:
• Mon Nov 23, Belloo: Victim dog being walked in Carolina North Forest, attacking dog (not on leash) did a
number on her. Declaration was upheld.
• Thurs Dec 17, Jessie: Victim dog being walked by owner's friend while owner out of town. Attacking dog
lives across street, ran across street and attacked. Declaration was upheld.
• Thurs Jan 7, Red: Victim dog on own property. Attacking dog being walked off leash, ran onto victim's
property and attacked. Declaration was upheld.
• Wed Jan 13 3pm, Jasmine: Victim dog being walked by owner past the attacking dog's property.
Attacking dog approaches and leads them back to victim dog's property, where he approached them in a
vicious manner indicating imminent attack. Declaration was upheld.
• Wed Jan 13 4pm, Badger: Victim reached out to pet the attacking dog and the dog bit her hand. The
dog’s owner was proactive in taking measurement to prevent another incident. Declaration was not
upheld because of the section of the ordinance under which it was declared potentially dangerous.
• Bob gives details of two dogs being held by ASD because of incidents wherein they attacked and in one
case killed other dogs.
(B) Potentially Dangerous Dog Hearing Training. Susan summarized the training, administered by County Attorney
Annette Moore, to the Potentially Dangerous Dog Hearing officers. In terms of the future, there is discussion
about how to deter owners whose cases are very clear from proceeding with calling the hearing. Michelle
suggests an affirmative checklist, so that an owner who answers “yes” to all the questions understands that
there’s no cause for appeal; if they acknowledge in writing that all elements of the statute have been met, it
would be harder for them to appeal.
Old/New Business
(A) Unified Animal Ordinance
2
• Warren gives an update on the Unified Animal Ordinance hearing by the BOCC on Dec 15, 2015. The
Commissioners focused on minutia, declined to vote on it and gave a list of things they thought should be
changed to Annette; they will discuss it again tomorrow. Those in attendance gave their opinions on the
proceedings. Overall, the experience was quite negative. Susan expresses concerns about the Ordinance as
written, including changes to the Potentially Dangerous Dog Appeal Hearing process, and they are discussed.
We conclude that we shouldn’t ask for changes in the language tomorrow night. The number of people
from the townships needs to be larger than what’s currently stated, in order to accommodate flexibility of
scheduling. Bob suggests that this Board should communicate this poor experience to the BOCC; Michelle
suggests that it should be in writing. Bob highlights the need for this Board to keep an open and working
relationship with the BOCC.
(B) Homeless Pets Initiative
• Aviva gave a brief update on the initiative to help homeless Orange County resident owners and their pets.
Additional updates on the subject will take place on the February ASAB meeting.
(C) Animal Services Update
• Bob gives the Animal Services update.
Ongoing and Upcoming Events
(A) Low-Cost Rabies Clinics
(B) Spay/Neuter Day
Meeting adjourned at: 8:15 PM
Name of Minute Taker: Caroline Green