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06-27-2024 Special Meeting Minutes AACPerson County Animal Advisory Committee June 27, 2024 Time: 6:30pm Location: Person County Animal Services Building Minutes Call to Order: A regular scheduled meeting of the Animal Advisory Committee was held in Roxboro, North Carolina on February 16, 2024. The meeting convened at 6:38pm. Members In Attendance: Members Not In Attendance: Janet Clayton (Cruelty Investigator) Kelli Lewis Shaina Outlaw Barbara Harris, DVM Jason Thomas Sherry Young Kim Woods Cathy Williams Kirsten Brame Cynthia Martin Kay Farrell Visitors in Attendance: Brian Hart Approval of minutes from November 16, 2023: B. Harris made motion to approve minutes, seconded by J. Clayton. Unanimously approved. New Business 1. New Committee Member Introduction: K. Lewis informed committee members of new member, Kirsten Brame, Deputy and K9 officer with Person Co. Sheriff Department, as Kirsten was not in attendance. 2. Budget Update/Grant Award/Volunteer Service Award: K. Lewis discussed purchase of new professional washer/dryer from unused salary funds for new positions. T. Briggs discussed grant award from NC Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services for play yard updates. All items have been purchased and are awaiting completed installation. A Volunteer appreciation luncheon and play yard dedication is planned for July 26. During this event, play yard will be dedicated in honor of Raymond Block, a dedicated volunteer with PCAS. 3. Upcoming Events/Plans – K. Lewis informed of 2 adoption events on 06/29/24 at Mebane PetSense and 7/20/2024 at Roxboro PetSense. PCAS is also participating in an event at South Elementary School (“Pups and Posicles with the Principal”) on 07/09/2024. 4. Chewy Truck Deliveries: K. Lewis informed board that 4th truck from Chewy was delivered a couple months ago. PCAS has partnered with APS of Person Co. to help supply their food pantry. Also delivering food to Christian Help Center along with Info packets that are being given out with food. A recommendation was made to also have information packets at Senior Center also. 5. ShelterLuv Update: Staff have been very pleased with new ShelterLuv program. Adoptions and rescue transfers are much easier, allowing off site adoptions for cats in PetSense locations. Additional donations are coming in via added options with adoptions and online options. YTD, we have received $860 in donations that we would not have received prior to using ShelterLuv. 6. County Ordinance Recommendations • Request by County Commissioner to increase county issued animal citations for Dangerous Dog from $100 to $500: K. Lewis informed board of a request from a County Commissioner from May 6 Board of Commissioner Meeting for more stringent sanctions regarding aggressive dogs off of owner’s property. Stats for bites reported from 4/25/21 to 4/25/2024 was presented showing a total of 329 bites from dogs AND cats (74 Roxboro City Limits/255 county); 147 were owned pets that bit a family member or owner, 12 were reported as veterinary staff being bitten by patients, 108 cat bites and 60 bites from stray dogs/owned dogs off of owner’s property. Of the 60 stray/off property dog bites 8 were never located, 19 received verbal warnings, 13 were issued written citations, 6 received Dangerous Dog Warning Letters, 5 were Deemed Dangerous, 4 were surrendered/euthanized and 5 were surrendered for euthanasia upon request of the owner. A discussion was held amongst board members regarding clarification of “Deemed Dangerous” vs generalized opinion of dangerous and the appropriate amount of citation. Board members were informed by K. Lewis that the citations are issued by Officer discretion, and are not mandatory for any/each event. The board raised concern of raising fees drastically, as many citizens would not be able to afford a fee of $500. Further discussion resulted in a motion being made by C. Williams to increase citation fee for animals Deemed by Animal Services Director as a Dangerous Dog . Motion was seconded by K. Farrell. Unanimous approval. Additional discussion of appropriate fee increase was held. A motion by C. Williams to increase fee for animals Deemed Dangerous by Animal Services Director to $250.00 was made and seconded by S. Young. Unanimous approval. • Request to remove verbal warning on citations: K. Lewis discussed the request to remove the option for a verbal warning and for all warnings to be “written warnings.” Citation books currently have a checkbox with wording of “WARNING” at top left corner. R equest was made to change wording to “WRITTEN WARNING” as to make clear that it is an official documented warning. Discussion amongst board was held stating written warnings would be an opportunity for documented public educational purposes and would hold up if additional action was necessary. A motion by K. Farrell was made to change wording on citations from “WARNING” to “WRITTEN WARNING,” seconded by C. Williams and approved unanimously. • K. Lewis discussed plan to re-approach Sheriff regarding Ordinance—as it stands, Animal Services still handles County Ordinance and Sheriff has not agreed to take over Ordinance. A recommendation has been made at minimum for language changes from “Animal Services Officer” to “Sheriff Deputy.” Other Reports 1. Shelter Stats – T. Briggs discussed numbers YTD for shelter show increase in intakes and discussed new partnerships with rescues. Miscellaneous 1. Board members suggested placing notice in newspaper regarding county ordinances, as well as summer heat advisory information for pets. Adjournment S. Young made motion to adjourn to closed session, J. Clayton seconded motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm. Tabitha Briggs ____08/15/2024_________ Secretary Date of Approval