HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAB Meeting Summary 06.15.22 Meeting Minutes Approved ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (ASAB)
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday,June 15, 2022
Jerry M Passmore Senior Center
103 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough,NC 27278
MEMBERS PRESENT: Edmond Tiryakian (Chair), Allan Polak(Vice Chair), Sunita
Driehuys, Lee Pickett, Dawn Roberts, Brenda Scott, Mark Solomon, Lucia Welborne, Paula
Greeno (present on Zoom)
Members ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Greg Ceseretti (Animal Services Assistant Director), Holly Pittman
(Administrative Support)
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Anne Albright of 2908 Green Hill Drive, Chapel Hill,NC 27514
Call to order: 6:30 PM
- Amended Agenda Items Listed Below:
o Discussion of finalized changes to the Wild and Dangerous Animal Ordinance
o Discussion of Board's reaction to documented rooster noise complaints
o Report on Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Clinic
Review and adoption of the meeting agenda:
Vote (Motion/2°d)
Sunita Driehuys Aye
Paula Greeno Aye (on Zoom)
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye
Mark Solomon Aye
Ed Tiryakian Aye
Lucia Welborne Aye
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Review and approval of May 2022 ASAB meeting summary:
Vote (Motion/2❑d)
Sunita Driehuys Aye
Paula Greeno Aye (on Zoom)
Lee Pickett Aye
Allan Polak Aye
Dawn Roberts Aye
Brenda Scott Aye
Mark Solomon Aye
Ed Tiryakian Aye
Lucia Welborne Aye
New Business
OCAS Updates
o The Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Clinic was held from 3:00pm to
5:00pm on June 15, 2022. The Clinic was considered to be a big success. Forty-eight
dogs and 46 cats were vaccinated against rabies.
o Greg Ceseretti recognized Edmond Tiryakian(outgoing Chair) for his service.
Edmond received a plaque that honors his "Appreciation of Loyal Service"June 2016
- June 2022.
o Kitten Palooza was reported as being a successful enterprise with 93 kittens now in
foster care.
o The Working Barn Cat Program is ongoing with participating barn owners
successfully taking in semi-ferral cats for care.
o Vacancies/Interns - OCAS is looking to fill animal healthcare positions, including
techs. There is currently an open posted position for full-time Medical Director
(Veterinarian). For individuals interested in the medical director position it has been
posted nationally.
o The current fiscal year is about to conclude. There has been a slight increase in
OCAS's budget for the next fiscal year to account for one additional staff member,
training &development of staff, and some equipment upgrades.
o June is Cat Adoption Month with a reduction in cost for individuals desiring to adopt
felines.
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Public participation guidelines
General public comments on items not on agenda (3-minute limit):
o Ann Albright of 2908 Green Hill Drive (see attached documentation) came forward
to discuss current language included in the Animal Control Ordinance. Ms. Albright
reported that a neighbor's cat has been stalking wild birds at her personal residence.
A complaint was filed on Jan 29th, 2022 and an officer came over to investigate.
Although the cat has reportedly continued to kill birds on Ms. Albright's deck,
Animal Services was evidently unable to take further actions as these acts have not
been directly observed by the claimant. Ms. Albright offered proposed edits to the
current ordinance with hopes of ordinance revision.
Animal Services Advisory Board
o Paula Greeno gave a presentation on Eliminating Breed Labels over Zoom. Paula
hypothesized that giving best guesses of dog identifications was counterproductive to
adopting a range of dogs out to individuals/families. Paula indicated that most people,
even a majority of experts, more often than not misidentify mix-breed dogs when
using DNA testing as the dependent measure. It was proposed that instead of
discussing dogs in terms of breeds, observable behavioral traits should be primary.
According to Dr. Sunita Driehuys, the current peer reviewed scientific literature
indicates no significant link between genetic makeup (breed) and behavior.
o Edmond Tiryakian led a discussion of the Venomous Snake Bites article. Reportedly,
the cost of antivenom is very, very expensive for humans, sometimes upwards of
200K.
o Edmond Tiryakian reported finalization of the Wild and Dangerous Animal
Ordinance. It is widely thought that this is now an improved ordinance. Final versions
of Division 4 and Division 5 were presented with first and seconded motions to adopt
the amended divisions. The motion passed. The ordinance now goes in front of the
board of county commissioners for their approval.
o Dr. Lee Pickett reported on the ASAB's committee on Systemic Racism&Animal
Welfare. Dr. Pickett summarized the 8 projects that comprised the goals of the
committee (see attached documentation)
o Edmond Tiryakian gave an update on the potential rooster noise problem and the
suggestion of a creation of a task force. Reportedly the county manager has not
received a significant number of rooster complaints. Therefore the creation of a
taskforce was deemed unnecessary by the county manager at this time.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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