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COMMISSION OF ANIMAL CONTROL AND WELFARE
Mailing Address: 1390 Market Street, Room 822
San Francisco, CA 94102
Voice Mail: (415) 252-3817
Minutes of Meeting - September 12, 2002
1. Call to order and roll call
The meeting was convened at 5.33p.m. by Chair Eckman, who presided during all aspects of the meeting. Five Commissioners (or their lawful designates) holding valid appointments being present, the quorum requirement of Section 6 of the Commission’s Rules & Regulations (50 percent of those eligible to vote) was satisfied.
Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Elissa Eckman, Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin, Secretary June Wilson, Laurie Kennedy, Kelly Jensen DVM, Jack Breslin, Dept of Health, Carl Friedman, Animal Care & Control, Sgt. Bill Herndon, SFPD Rosa Sanchez, City Attorney.
Absent with excuse: Cheryl Bentley, Jamal Modica.
2. Public Comment
Eric Mills, Action for Animals, stated that he spoke with the Alemada County Fair Board of Directors asking them to consider an ordinance to prevent the performing acts and display of wild animals. Jeffrey Wescott and Dave Madison spoke at length about a dog attacking one of their dogs. They don’t blame the dog, they blame the owner and would like to see more responsible owners as they say that there is no vicious dogs at birth. Comm. Friedman stated that there is a state law that stops a person with a vicious dog from owning a dog for 3 years. Comm. Herndon suggested licensing the owner as the owner is responsible. Dee King stated that Pets Unlimited had groomed her Maine coon cat When she bought the cat home, she found that they had shaved her cat and the cat was spitting and hissing. Comm. Jensen suggested phoning the Better Business Bureau and Comm. Friedman suggested writing the Head of the Board of Directors.
3. Approval of the draft minutes of August 8, 2002
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment.
The minutes were unanimously approved by the Commission.
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks
The Chair welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
She also drew attention to a news article "Terrorists, Animal Abusers should receive no quarter" and she thanked Comm. Kennedy for remodeling the Commission’s web site.
5. Commissioner Public Comment
Comm. Breslin received a copy of "Pigeon Solutions" and he will be invited at a later meeting to speak on this subject. Comm. Friedman announced that Eric Mills will be awarded "Humanitarian of the Year" by the Marin Humane Society. Comm. Wilson could not find anyone who could take over her delivery of Companion Animal Network Tapes to the SF public access station.
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6. Status and tracking of letters of recommendations approved by Commission requesting action by Board of Supervisors
a. Comm. Jensen stated that she had no reply yet to her letter regarding the Live Animal Markets and the Commission tried to think up ways to get the Supervisors attention.
.Eric Mills stated that he visited a market in Chinatown where he saw map turtles for sale. He called authorities to report it but no one showed up. Nothing has changed.
7. Committee Reports/Commissioner’s Reports
a.Comm. Herndon said that it wasn’t lack of funds that Crime Stoppers disbanded, it was lack of community involvement, they needed Board members. Comm. Friedman stated that the new revised educational posters regarding dog fighting is just about ready and should have some definite information at the next meeting.
b. Com. Franklin stated that "Guardian"/owner is still with the city attorney
c. Com. Franklin stated that there will be a committee meeting on 26th Sept. to discuss Leland Yee’s proposed ordinance in response to Rec & Parks dog policy and she will write another letter to Rec & Park. Comm. Friedman said that the Dog Advisory Task Force will continue to meet regardless of what comes out of the committee meeting. The President of SF/SPCA is Chair and Comms. Friedman and Herndon are on the Task Force.
d. Com. Franklin stated that there is a possible committee hearing in October concerning the welfare of laboratory animals at UCSF. IDA are planning to fly people in to speak.
e. City Attorney Rosa Sanchez stated that to get some space at City Hall, Comm. Wilson should call DTIS and the city administrator and Ms. Sanchez will assist but it would be helpful if a Supervisor would help us also. Comm. Friedman will speak with the city administrator first.
9. New Business
(Out of order)
C. Eric Mills stated that last year the Grand National Rodeo had 9000 Bay Area children at the Cow Palace on school time and taxpayers expense. Mr. Mills feels that children seeing a rodeo is a form of child abuse and makes children insensitive to animal cruelty. There was much discussion on this issue and the legality of stopping children from seeing cruelty and whether this commission has jurisdiction to do anything about it. Ms. Sanchez will look into the matter.
8. Old Business
A. Ron Cole referred to the draft informational pamphlet/flyer, that the name should also include the city and county of San Francisco. The Commission stated "debarking" will also be added.
B. The Chair decided that she would take public comment on 9B New Business.
Ron Cole stated that debarking saves a lot of dog’s lives. He said that if the dog must stay outside and the neighbors complain because the dog is barking, then it is OK to debark. Comm. Kennedy felt that there were difference ways to stop a dog from barking than cutting its vocal cords. Comm. Friedman stated that a hoarder had over 50 dogs in his house, all debarked so the neighbors wouldn’t know. Comm. Wilson stated that many dogs owned by breeders were debarked because of noise and zoning laws. Comm. Jensen is very concerned about debarking and declawing. The commission approved unanimously the pamphlet and also added the debarking issue on the pamphlet. The logo will be available at next meeting.
9. New Business
A. A lady who was unable to be here tonight, had planned to report that she heard a screeching noise over her fence and saw a neighbor trying to kill a chicken but didn’t know how to do it properly.
10.Public Comment
11.Calendar Items
A person will come next month and speak on "Pigeon Solutions"
12.Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7.13p.m. motion by Com. Jensen, seconded by Com. Wilson.
Dated: 14th September, 2002
Amended: 11th October, 2002
Wilson, Secretary __________________