Meeting Information

COMMISSION OF ANIMAL CONTROL AND WELFARE

Mailing Address: City Hall #1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 453
San Francisco, CA 94102
Voice Mail: (415) 554-6074
Website: www.sfgov.org/awcc

Draft Minutes of Meeting - October 9^th, 2003

1. Call to order and roll call

The meeting was convened at 5.35p.m. by Chair Kennedy, 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 Laurie Kennedy, Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin, Elissa Eckman, Chin Chi, Joanne Kipnis, Vicki Guldbech, Animal Care & Control, Sgt. Bill Herndon, SFPD.

Absent with excuse: Susan Wheeler, Kelly Jensen DVM

Also, the continued absent of Recreation and Park

2. Public Comment

Bob O'Brien stated that there is National Primate Liberation week from October 25^th to November 2nd and on October 28th there will be a demonstration at UCSF from 11:30a.m. and he requests that a member of the Commission be present, as several animal organizations will be also present.

3. Approval of the draft minutes of September 11, 2003

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. The minutes were unanimously approved by the Commission with a few minor amendments.

4. Chairperson's report and opening remarks

a. The Chair welcomed Joanne Kipnis to the Commission and Comm. Kipnis stated that she was looking forward to working with the Commission and the Public. Comm.Herndon arrived at 5.46p.m.

(out of order)

6. Status and tracking of letters of recommendations approved by

Commission requesting action by Board of Supervisors

a. Responsible Dog Guardianship

The Chair stated that they had invited SF Dogs and Coleman Advocates to attend. Comm. Franklin stated that L.A. had recently passed legislation in the Health Code. S.F. only requires at this time food, shelter and water. They started working on this 6 months ago to have more defined requirements.

Amendment of SF Health Code

Comm. Herndon spoke about "Bite and Run" which means that if a dog bites whether you are owner, caretaker etc., you are required under this law to report the bite, the same as reporting a traffic accident. The primary reason is to know if the dog has had its rabies shot. They would like to make it a misdemeanor if a person leaves the scene without giving proper information about the dog. Comm. Franklin stated that they have been in touch with Sup. Dufty and he seemed like he would support the amendment but wanted public comment first by SF Dogs and Coleman Advocates.

Public Comment

Florence Sarrett spoke was in support of the legislation but she thought that the whole proposal should be rewritten. She referred to Section 39 and C "it shall be the duty of any person having knowledge of any animal which has bitten a human being or other animal within the City and Co. to immediately, and in no case later than the end of next business day, report the fact to the Health Dept. and to furnish complete information thereof, including date, time and location of bite, description of animal or person bitten, name and license number of biting animal and rabies vaccination. History of biting animal". She would not report a dog bite especially if it was a friend's dog. Comm. Franklin said that this was in the existing code. This law has been in the code for years, primarily because of rabies. Ron Cole stated that this legislation was for L.A. sentry dogs and also what if a person has a stroke or goes away on vacation, is the person who is looking after the dog responsible? Comm. Guldbech stated that ACC investigates as much information as they can and no one can get in trouble on the first visit and they will educate as best as possible. Ron Cole stated that anyone be it judge, jury, etc. can interpret the law, so we need it written into law. John Denny of the SF Police Dept. hopes to have the "Bite and Run" ordinance on the ballot. He said that a case where the child was on a swing, a man came with 2 dogs, one dog bit the child and when asked his name etc. he was verbally abusive to the woman and took off. Another incident, a man with a 9 year old boy went into the dog run near Spreckles Lake with his little dog and 5 pitbulls attacked him and his dog. The man threw his dog over the fence. The man had 37 cuts and scrapes. No witnesses would come forward to say whom the man and his dogs were. Comm. Herndon said that we needed to get to the owner/guardian, not the dog. Robin Buckley questioned the ordinance. There is no law that the dog must have a license tag or rabies tag. Comm. Eckman, 6a. Questioned this ordinance speaking about license requirements, exercise and socialization, medical care and education. Comm. Franklin and Comm. Guldbech will be meeting with Sup. Dufty at the end of October.

Declawing Cats

Comm. Wheeler was in touch with Sup. Sandoval's aide, Sup. Sandoval went forward with the resolution and it was passed by the Board. Comm. Jensen and Comm. Kennedy will be meeting with Sup. Sandoval next week to see if they can get support for ordinance. Comm. Eckman suggested that they look over last month's minutes to see what the doctors testified and also bring some photos so as to better inform Sup. Sandoval.

The Chair stated that at the Rules Committee Meeting, Sup. Dufty said that the Commission was not doing their job regarding public hearings, and at the Board of Supervisors meeting the veterinarians stated that they didn't want Government interfering with their jobs. Comm. Chi was unclear about last month's vote on cat declawing. It was stated that the Commission only voted to ban cats declawing. They did not vote on educating the public about cat declawing or supporting the Koretz Bill which failed in Sacramento. Comm. Chi stated that she was never against a ban, just improved conditions and education. Comm Eckman said that when she spoke with Dr. Gross, the doctor thought that it was better to concentrate on pain and suffering.

5. Committee Reports/Commissioner's Reports

Live Animal Markets

Comm. Franklin reported that ACC had a call that a canister of frogs was seen in Chinatown. They picked out the 10 worst cases and brought them to ACC. The Chair stated that live animal markets have been on the agenda for years but no Supervisor will touch issue.

8. Old Business

Comm. Eckman stated that she is still working on "Cambridge-type" ordinance and will have more information next month. Bob O'Brien asked about an oversight committee and Comm. Eckman said that they are working on that.

9. New Business

No new business

10. Public Comment

Ron Cole asked where Comm. Breslin was and was told that he will attend the meeting when it is necessary.

11. Calendar Items

Comm. Chi requested Trap-Neuter-Adopt-Return be put on agenda next month. Comm. Franklin requested also on the agenda to restore voting to departmental representatives. Comm. Kipnis requested that trapping on the agenda and how it affects the public.

12. Closing Review of Task Allotment and Next Steps

Comm. Herndon will meet with City Attorney to review the Bite & Run.

Comm. Guldbech and Comm. Franklin will meet with Sup. Dufty to set up the dog ordinance. Comm. Jensen and Comm. Kennedy will meet with Sup. Sandoval about declawing ban.

13. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. motioned by Comm. Franklin, seconded by Comm. Eckman.

Dated: 12^th January, 2003

Wilson, Secretary