COM 0022.015 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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cruelty to animals. We are not certain whether that means someone can fulfill their responsibility under this section by calling us to say that they have struck an animal on the road. We lack the resources to respond directly to such a call and frequemly as so busy during the day that we let the telephone take messages that we return hours later or the next day. While we would want to help in such a situation, we would not want to be considered the appropriate place to notify of such an accident both because we cannot respond and because we might not learn of the incident until well after the accident. Section 4-1 S Places prohibited to animals, including dogs and cats We find it unfortunate to ban dogs from all County beach parks. We would prefer to see requirements that allow dogs to go to the beach and their families to ensure the dogs do not disturb others at the beach or leave behind any fecal matter. 9. Section 4-20 Seizure of dogs by officers. (a) Seizure of Unlicensed Dogs (1) Again we are concerned with the effects of raising the fees. To raise the impoundment fee to $25 only makes it less likely that the dog's family will reclaim the dog. To reclaim an unlicensed dog that is not spayed or neutered would cost a minimum of $50 under the new provisions. The less likely the family will reclaim the dog, the more likely the dog will be euthanized. Raising fees is, therefore, not in the best interest of the dog. (2) This subsection provides for an enforcement officer to sell a seized dog. The law in general, however, does not make the enforcement officer directly responsible for the animal once seized. Normally, the officer would deliver the dog to a pound. The pound, not the officer, would be the responsible party from that point forward. Another concern about this subsection is that the amount to be paid for the dog does not seem to include spay and neuter should the dog be in tact when seized. Currently the Humane Society requires a dog be spayed or neutered before leaving their facility and charges accordingly. This section would seem to allow the selling of impounded dogs for the amount of the license and impoundment fee, whether spayed and neutered or not. A third concern is that we believe an improvement in the relationship between people and domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, would take place if the idea of"selling" is replaced with "adopting." (4) We make a similar suggestion regarding the fees collected pursuant to this subsection that the fees be placed in a fund dedicated to spay and neuter assistance. (b) Seizure of Licensed Stray Dogs We have already noted above that the term "licensed stray dogs" contradicts the definition of "stray." (2) Again, we are concerned that raising fees is not in the best interest of the animals.