HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB minutes 0516181
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, May 16, 2018
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS PRESENT: Maureane Hoffman (Chair), Molly Mullin (Vice-Chair), Edmund Tiryakian, Diane Obeid, Warren
Porter, Susan Elmore, Michelle Walker, and Victoria Hudson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Beth Grooms, Heather Payne
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Marotto (Animal Services Director) and Andi Morgan (Asst. Animal Services Director)
GUESTS PRESENT: Will Lang, Gina Hahn, and Evelyn Daniel
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Call to order: 6:32pm
Review and adoption of the Agenda: Molly Mullin made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Susan
Elmore Mullin. The motion carried without dissent.
Summary of March 21, 2018 meeting: Susan Elmore made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Molly
Mullin. The motion carried without dissent.
Review of public participation guidelines: Molly Mullin reviewed the participation guidelines.
Pets in Adult Care Home Possibilities, Will Lang, Orange County Adult Care Home Advisory
Committee: The ACHA Board is looking for opportunities to partner with other groups for the enrichment of the
residents of adult care facilities. Will Lang pointed out that there are some facilities that already allow pets and
therapy animals. He would like to explore opportunities to improve the lives of pets by bringing pets into the
facilities. A pet therapy article on benefits was provided. Bob Marotto will enlist staff to look at opportunities and
logistics with Mr. Lang.
ASAB Applicants:
(A) Gina Hahn was introduced as a candidate for the at-large non-municipal or animal welfare advocate
vacancy. She has resided in Orange County for five years. She participates in foster programs, rescue
programs, and equine programs. Though not currently a member, she has experience with the Hearing
Panel Pool.
(B) Evelyn Daniel was introduced for the Carrboro vacancy. She has been a resident of Orange County since
1985. She has served on various Boards, including several professional associations and the Orange County
Parks and Recreation Board.
(C) Recommendations were sent for the Town of Chapel Hill vacancy.
(D) There is an applicant for pet business owner.
Animal Services Advisory Board Updates
(A) Report on Board of County Commissioner Work Session April 26, 2018: Molly Mullin reported on the work
session where she presented the annual progress, the work plan, and compiling proposed edits for the UAO.
There were a few questions about the easement that were addressed to and answered by Bob Marotto.
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Old Business:
(A) ASAB Communication About Animal Services Property Easements: There are no updates. Jeff
Thompson, Orange County AMS, will address Duke Power to formalize plans.
(B) Guidelines for Surrendered Animals Suffering from Cruelty or Neglect: Michelle Walker shared the last draft
with Heather Payne. The proposed edits regarded policy on notification in writing and the specific
explanation of the terms of the Notice, including the terms of the appeals procedure. There were questions
from ASAB about the adjudication of appeals. The procedures will require the recommendations of the
County Attorney’s office and a language amendment to include this in the scope of the Hearing Panel Pool.
There was one statement that was requested to be removed, “ASAB welcomes input regarding staff's
capabilities for providing such consultations in light of limited resources.” Susan Elmore made a motion to
forward the final policy draft to the County Attorney’s office as edited for legal review and possible edits;
Michelle Walker seconded. Edmund Tiryakian read a statement during discussion. The motion carried.
Edmund Tiryakian voted in dissent. He requested his statement become part of the minutes:
“Although I agree these Guidelines are a step in the right direction, they are fatally flawed: they fail
to accord to Animal Services the necessary authority to permanently bar an individual who has
displayed an egregious inability to treat an animal with due care. Merely placing someone on
probation whose gross negligence may have resulted in severe, permanent and inexcusable harm, is
wholly inadequate and trivializes the extent of their misdeeds. We should not be substituting our
lofty good wishes for rehabilitation for the real world reality of people whose past behavior
disqualifies them from adopting anew from Orange County Animal Services. Adoption is a privilege,
not a right.
I have never argued that every time a surrendered animal shows evidence of gross negligence the
owner should inexorably be permanently banned from re-adopting; merely that we authorize
Animal Services to make that judgment call after they investigate the matter fully, subject, as
always, to the right of appeal by an owner who feels aggrieved. I note that many of my colleagues
are worried about ruffling the sensibilities of certain members of the greater community. I believe
in the process, we have ignored an equally important stakeholder in this debate, the abused pets,
for which we are stewards. Agency is no excuse for responsibility.
Finally, I find it regrettable that this protocol provides no guidance whatsoever to Animal Services
for the predictably far more numerous instances of a surrendered animal which shows signs of mere
negligent mistreatment? Does Animal Services have authority to impose any conditions on re-
adoption, such as attending a course on animal hygiene, or disease prevention? The guidelines’
failure to instruct Animal Services on proper procedure leaves an unfortunate void, which they will
have to contrive for themselves, without the requested input from the ASAB. For these reasons,
Madame Chair, I must vote no.”
New Business:
(A) Ninth Annual Open House: Andi Morgan reported on the upcoming Open House Saturday, June 2.
Monetary donations and pledges of snacks, balloons, face painting, and other activity supplies are being
accepted.
(B) Animal Services Updates: Bob Marotto reported that there is 100+ cat back log on the barn cat/ free-
roaming cat work. There will be a barn cat SNAP spay and neuter day at OCAS. This will occur on May 21st.
There will be an event on Saturday, May 19th at the Rogers Road Community Center to provide rabies and
microchipping. Dr. Elmore will speak on pet health. There will be ACOs and AC vehicles on site. The Orange
County Citizens “College” featured OCAS on May 15th. Regarding the seized dogs from the criminal
investigation, Bob Marotto stated State law requires any dog that is harbored for dog-fighting be deemed a
dangerous dog. Based on the forensic examination, the seized dogs have been sorted into groups. The
dogs having signs that they have been fought will not be available for adoption (18 dogs). The other dogs
(12 dogs) will be examined by the behaviorists to determine if they are adoptable. The dogs have now been
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surrendered through the court to OCAS. The DA will make a final motion that establishes that the
defendant does have the right to collect evidence from the dogs before they are disposed.
(C) Ordinance considerations: Maureane Hoffman described the forthcoming changes, amendments, and edits
to the UAO. A list of inconsistencies and unclear policy has been collected during hearings and public
comments:
1. Bob Marotto presented an example of confusing language about landowner permissions as a factor
during an animal attack. Sec.4-42. (b) (3) currently reads, “Without provocation has injured,
maimed or killed a pet or domestic livestock, except where such animal has bitten or killed a pet or
domestic livestock that is on the land of another without permission or is defending a person.”
2. Several issues have arisen from hearing experiences about whether the ordinance needs to be
more flexible with respect to the declaration of an animal as dangerous. Specific examples were
given where clear exceptions exist versus when propensities exist.
3. Appeals procedural deadlines are not clear to readers.
4. Public nuisance provision for cats as previously discussed was referred for change.
5. The issue of whether Sec. 4-42 needs to be amended to establish a different form of restraint for
animals deemed dangerous is currently under discussion.
6. The scope of appeals needs clarification.
Proposed ordinance edits will be on the June agenda. Bob Marotto will send the items to be discussed.
Information Items (made available):
(A) Monthly Sheltering Statistical Reports, April 2018
(B) Monthly Field Service Statistical Report, April 2018
Adjournment and next meeting:
Michelle Walker made a motion to adjourn at 8:12 pm; Susan Elmore seconded. Motion carried without
dissent. The next meeting is June 20, 2018 at 6:30 pm, Orange County Animal Services Center.
Minutes taken:
Victoria Hudson