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04-18-2001 ~ ....., CITY OF EDGEWATER ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD April 18, 2001 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting was called to order by chairperson, Robin Hendricks, at 7:02 PM in the City Hall Conference Room. ROLL CALL Members present were: Robin Hendricks, Donna Wagner, and Liz Scavarda. Also present were: Animal Control Senior Officer Brandi McNair, Legal Assistant Robin Matusick, Board Secretary Sue Griffiths, Observer Reporter Russell Gulick, and Edgewater Residents Robin Como, Kimber Catalo, and Lori Garner. Members absent were: Dr. D. Vanis, and Debrah Brazzell. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2001 meeting was made by Donna Wagner and seconded by Liz Scavarda. Motion unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Ordinances Board members were given copies of final draft that was sent for discussion at the City Council Meeting, with added suggestions made by the council members. Council suggested adding to Sec. 5-2 Definition of Boarder the following: A boarder shall not reside in a kennel for more than three (3) weeks per visit, nor more than forth five (45) days annually. Also council members suggested that in Sec. 5-36 Breeding and Kennels Subsection b Kennels adding the following: 5. A boarder shall not reside in a kennel for more than three (3) weeks per visit, nor more than forty-five (45) days annually. After a brief discussion by members present the following motion was made. ....... ...., Motion: Motion was made by Donna Wagner and seconded by Liz Scavarda to let the ordinance changes stand as they are for review and possible acceptance by city council. Motion carried unanimous. Quarterly Meetings Robin Matusick advised the board members that the ordinance changes would be put on an agenda request for city council and would be read at the next meeting, voted on and would be signed at the second meeting held in May. Robin Matusick advised that since the changes have been finalized that the board is to start holding the meetings quarterly which would put the next meeting for July 18th, 2001. Citizen Comments Kimber Catalo, resident at 104 S. Flagler Ave. wished to speak to the Board members to clarify some of the proposed changes regarding breeders. Ms. Catalo read the definition of breeder to the Board members and stated that she didn't understand pet quality as used in the definition, she disagreed that what she did as a breeder was not defined. She stated she breeds her dogs for a better quality breed, not for profit. Ms. Catalo stated she wanted to know if there was a difference between registered breeders and what is defined as a breeder. Animal Control Officer McNair advised that it was not difficult for anyone to get an animal registered and that for all intents and purposes it did not matter. Ms. Catalo wanted to know why there was a limit of 3 animals allowed in the City of Edgewater; she is a responsible pet owner and wondered why she should have to take an animal to the Humane Society if she was over her limit. Ms. Catalo was advised that the ordinance is in place to give the animal control officers some backbone when it came to those who were not responsible. Animal Control Officer McNair stated that if a responsible pet owner is not causing a problem she would have no reason to violate them, but if that "responsible" pet owner had a complaint against them by their neighbor then she would have to investigate and if need be refer to the animal control ordinance to charge that person. Donna Wagner advised that if you maintain your animals to the point where you don't have a complaint against you, you probably would not hear from the animal control officer. She went on to state that if you had a complaint and animal control is sent to your residence, you have a problem and it isn't going to make a difference whether you're a breeder or just a pet owner, if you are in violation you have to vacate them. ACO Brandi McNair stated that it would depend on the violation and a proper investigation would be required. Ms. Catalo stated she did not feel the limit was fair to those responsible pet owners and that she thought that the whole purpose of having the ordinance was to ~ '-' prevent animals going to the Humane Society. Ms. Catalo stated that she does not keep collars or tags on her animals and she doesn't like to keep collars on her show animals. ACe McNair stated that the ordinance stated you must have your animals properly licensed. ACe McNair stated that if you do not keep tags on your animal, then you shouldn't complain if your animal gets sent to the Humane Society. Robin Matusick stated that a responsible owner should adhere to the laws, and that the Board could not tell them they did not have to. Ms. Catalo asked if there was a difference between show quality and pet quality. Ms. Catalo was advised by ACe McNair that there was no difference, due to the fact that there is no way anyone can tell a puppy is going to be show quality at 8 weeks old. Robin Matusick advised that the requirements in the breeder section is to help animal control prevent problems from happening, and also advised that the breeder permit is an attempt to regulate breeding within the city and responsible breeders educate others by regulating irresponsible breeding. Ms. Catalo then questioned licensing for breeders. She questioned as to how she was to justify breeding her animals, if she was only allowed two licenses when she has three dogs. Donna Wagner advised that you can only breed two animals per year. The breeder license is for one animal only and can't be transferred. Male animals also are included in the breeder license. If Ms. Catalo has a male dog for breeding and a female dog for breeding, they would both have to be licensed if the male is going to be used as stud. If not then she could license her females. Ms. Catalo was advised that if she was going to use her male as a stud whether to her female or someone else's then it must be licensed and included in her permitted limit. Ms. Catalo stated that she had a problem with the puppies having to be vaccinated at 4 months. She also advised that there was no way she was going to give a one and a half pound toy poodle a full rabies vaccination at 4 months. Donna Wagner advised it was not up to her and would be up to her veterinarian to administer the rabies vaccination, and up to the veterinarian to determine whether or not the dog could receive this shot. Robin Hendricks advised that state law required that any dog for sale must have a rabies shot by the age of 4 months. Robin Hendricks started to advised Ms. Catalo that her personal animals did not have to be vaccinated, and was corrected by several board members, legal assistant and animal control officer. ACe McNair advised state law required any animal whether for sale or for personal enjoyment has to be vaccinated by 4 months of age. ACe McNair also advised that if an animal could not be vacdnated for health reasons as determined by a veterinarian, the ordinance covers that in the exemption clause. The exemption must be presented in writing with a detailed explanation, from a veterinarian; as to the reason the animal cannot receive the vaccination as required. Ms. Catalo then stated that her animals see the veterinarian a lot but she would not give her dog a shot that was harmful to her. Donna Wagner advised that ,., .." her veterinarian should make that determination and that they had the authority to give a lesser dose. Robin Hendricks then stated that she doesn't vaccinate her puppies until they are 6 months old, and doesn't care what anyone says, but felt that 4 months was too young, then stressed that she didn't care what the state said, or anyone. ACO McNair stated that the law states vaccination is required by 4 months old. If she was checking on the breeder and found that a puppy 4 months or older did not have vaccinations for rabies then she would give the owner a 24 hour notice to comply. If the owner did not comply, she would issue a violation regardless of how the owner felt about the age of the animal. Ms. Catalo stated that was fine. Robin Hendricks stated that she would pay the fine because that was something she felt strongly about. Robin Matusick then stated that the city would not condone anyone breaking the law. Ms. Matusick continued that your dog does not have to be running loose to have animal control discover a violation, all complaints reported require an investigation by an animal control officer. Ms. Catalo then asked the board about the 24-hour notice for inspection of kennels. Ms. Catalo was advised that the 24-hour notice was a courtesy to the owner of the kennel for an out of the blue inspection. It was not, however, referring to an investigation inspection due to a complaint. Donna Wagner advised that this would not apply to her breeding unless she was a licensed kennel. Lori Garner asked for clarification on the age for puppy vaccination and how the board decided on the 4 months age. Ms. Gamer was advised that the age mentioned came from the state statue in reference to required vaccinations. She asked why the Board chose that, the Board advised that they were going by state law and the city would not violate any state laws by changing the age. Lori Garner advised she understood and only wanted clarification as to how 4 months was chosen over 6 months. Robin Matusick asked if the answers given to her satisfied her questions. Ms. Catalo advised that yes she had a better understanding and that she would review the complete ordinance and proposed changes. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Donna Wagner, seconded by Liz Scavarda. Motion carried unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 P.M. Next meeting to be held on July 18th, 2001.