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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-20 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD NOVEMBER 20, 2008 ITEM 1 — CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Leon Hogg at 11:00 A.M. at the City of Euless Animal Control Shelter, 1517 Westpark Way, Euless, Texas 76040. The following members were in attendance: Leon Hogg Gayly Maas, D.V.M. Michelle Watson Clyde Cullum Staff Support: Ron Young, Richard Boatright, J. T. Ackerman & Cynthia Daniel Guests: Mr. & Mrs. Little & Dennis Schaeffer ITEM 2 - REVIEW AND APPROVE MINUTES FROM MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2008 Chairman Hogg asked if there were any questions regarding the minutes of April 17, 2008. Dr. Maas made a motion to approve the Minutes of April 17, 2008. Clyde Cullum seconded the motion. Motion approved. ITEM 3 - STAFF REPORT Larry James is absent from today's meeting due to shoulder surgery. Clyde Cullum reported that the new chasis mounted boxes that mount on the 3/4 ton pickups have been ordered. These boxes hold the animals and will slip on the chasis. Distributed literature showing what they will look like. Should be ready to put into service after the first of the year. ITEM 4 - SHELTER STATISTICS REPORT Ron Young noted that the number of animals picked up in 2008 was down and that all statistics looked down. It was noted that shelter is getting a few calls about wildlife such as bobcats and coyotes. Discussed comparison of how many citations issued to the number of calls for service received . It appears that there is a lot of compliance. ASAB Meeting Minutes Page 2 November 20, 2008 Chairman Hogg mentioned he is noticing that people walking dogs on his street are carrying waste bags. Clyde said that if citations are up a little bit, that probably half of the citations are for one person. Overall, citations are down from last year. ITEM 5 - REVIEW FY09 BUDGET REQUESTS Dr. Maas wants it on the record that she is still requesting a full-time kennel tech position for the shelter. Ron will submit the request again for next year's budget. Ron asked committee to start thinking of FY10 budget requests. The shelter improvements are on the 5-year budget plan. ITEM 6 - DOG DAZE REVIEW Dr. Maas said she appreciated Public Works employee, Ernest Torez's efforts and his work helping her to get set up as well as trying to get his job done. Said he did a great job for everything that morning. Discussed the setup of the facility. Dr. Maas commented that better airflow is needed next year where her staff was set up. They were not able to have fans blowing on them because it would disturb their paper work. Will look at setting up in the pavillion for the next Dog Daze. Chairman Hogg said he would write Ernest a "Thank You" note. ITEM 7 - ANIMAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE Dr. Maas asked how shelter is verifying that animals registered online are current on rabies vaccinations. Clyde said there is no varification — all they are doing is registering the animals. Dr. Maas said that part of the reason the Board wanted the registration was so that we could verify that residents are getting their animals rabies vaccinations. Ron will talk to the City Manager's office about it. ITEM 8 - DISCUSS ANNUAL VS. THREE YEAR RABIES VACCINATION Distributed handout . Ron said that Larry James checked with the neighboring cities to see what their requirements were for rabies vaccinations. They don't require a 3-year vaccination but they allow a 3-year vaccination. Euless may be the only one that requires a 1-year vaccination. Guest, Mr. Schaeffer said his veterinarian gives his dog the rabies vaccination every year because the city requires it, but she says it's not necessary. He brought a statement with him from the state dated February 27, 2003 regarding the 3-year vaccinaiton. He said he has done a lot of research on this and said that shots over the ASAB Meeting Minutes Page 3 November 20, 2008 years can be more harmful for our pets than beneficial. Said rabies shot can do your dog in. Both guests have had dogs that had a bad reaction to the shot. Guest (Chairman Hogg's neighbor) said it is his understanding that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is trying to get away from giving dogs all these shots. Dr. Maas said the AVMA is leaving it to the discretion of the individual veterinarians. Said they are not taking a stand one way or the other. Dr. Maas said that a veterinarian can write a waiver that states this dog either has reactions to the vaccine or whatever and you have to keep it as if it was a rabies certificate. May have to get it every year. If your veterinarian feels it is a detriment to your animal's health or safety, they can write a waiver that says because of (for whatever reason) I don't believe that this animal should receive the vaccine this year. Dr. Maas said that if your animal bites someone and it has been more than a year since it has had a rabies shot, then it is treated as an unvaccinated dog. Dr. Maas read from some articles that she brought on the subject and gave reasons supporting the yearly vaccine instead of the 3-year vaccine. Michelle Benton shared her experiences with rabid animals in the City of Colleyville as an Animal Control officer. Guest, Mrs. Little also brought some articles supporting their position that yearly vaccinations are not necessary. Suggested that the State should better regulate so that vets are on the same page. Mr. Little said it is confusing when some vets give the 3- year vaccine but neighboring cities have different regulations. Mrs. Little thinks that Euless and Hurst are behind all the other cities around here including the cities in Dallas County. Michelle said that she is on the Animal Control Board for the City of Hurst and knows that the City of Hurst is thinking about staying with the one year vaccine. They think this will help to keep animals current on other shots like distemper if citizens are required to get yearly rabies vaccine for their pets. Chairman Hogg told guests that if they are concerned about their dogs they should have their vet sign a waiver. Guest, Mr. Little said they are speaking on behalf of other neighbors also. Dr. Maas and Chairman Hogg said that anyone can request a medical waiver from their veterinarian. Guest, Mr. Little said that with the economy the way it is some people may not give the yearly shots to their pets to save money but might be able to do it if it is once every three years. ASAB Meeting Minutes Page 4 November 20, 2008 Guests left. Staff and Board members prefer to keep the yearly rabies vaccination requirement. Stated it is better for the safety of the citizens and the shelter staff. Richard Boatright said they do a lot of trapping of wildlife because of all the development going on. ITEM 9 - BOARD MEMBERS OR CITIZENS REQUESTS OF ITEMS OF INTEREST TO BE ADDRESSED BY STAFF AND/OR PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Dr. Maas asked if the shelter still has a vaccination protocal for shelter animals. Richard said they still vaccinate shelter animals. Requested this be on the next agenda to discuss. Ron said the city has a stormwater management program/plan which involves eliminating or minimizing the amount of waste going into the storm drains. We have some literature that can be handed out at the next Dog Daze event to make people aware that it's not good to put the dog waste in the storm drains. Chairman Hogg request that a Dog Park report be added to the Board's next agenda. How is it working and has shelter had any calls. Ron asked that staff check with Ray McDonald. Dr. Maas asked how the Pooper Scooper Ordinance is working at the city parks. Is it helping to get people to pick up after their dogs. Mrs. Little returned and asked if the Board votes on the 1-year or 3-year rabies vaccination. Chairman Hogg explained the this is an advisory board and that the city council would have to vote to change the ordinance. She asked if individuals can work to get the ordinance changed. She also asked Board members & staff what their personal opionion was. She asked how the Board members get changed. Ron distributed the Boards & Commisions Books for 2009. Ron said the Boards & Commissions Dinner is being postponed from November to February due to the renovations going on at Texas Star. Doesn't know the date. Tentatively scheduled January 15, 2009 for the next Board meeting. ASAB Meeting Minutes Page 5 November 20, 2008 ITEM 10 - ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 A.M. APPROVED: A By: I .'_!__ A! i.di. Ch. rman Leon ogg S ATTEST: By: °`- i -et-/ I Cy hia Daniel Administrative Assistant