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Animal control info
Received this Monday shortly before my drop-deadline, able to get most of it in, here is the full release from Ken Lanfear:
CITY OF OCEAN SHORES ANIMAL CONTROL
Although the City does not presently have an Animal Control Officer, it is recognized that having a pet is an important part of the lives of many of our residents and visitors. However, having a large number of pet animals in the community also means that serious problems may arise that need immediate attention. These serious problems will continue to be addressed.
Starting 8:00 AM on August 4, 2009, the Ocean Shores Police Department will respond, on a very limited basis, only to serious problems, which include: animals that are dangerous, vicious or have bitten someone; causing a noise problem due to excessive barking; animal cruelty that can be verified by an officer and that may cause injury or death to the animal; and theft of animals. If a resident detains a stray animal they may contact the Police Department, and have an officer meet them at the animal facility on Minard Avenue for impound. If a resident wants to know if their animal is in impound, a call to Police will obtain a check of the kennel and response to the caller. Only in these cases should calls be made to Police dispatch at 533-8765.
Any other concerns or questions about animals in the City should be directed to Public Works at 289-2754.
Starting August 11, 2009, animal licensing will be moved from the Ocean Shores Police Department to the City’s Finance Department, 800 Anchor Avenue, phone 289-2487.
Also if a dog is driving erratically, he/she could be pulled over, and license checked that way
From what I have been told by people around town, it was not enforced with an Animal Control Officer either. The way licenses are enforced is by canvasing. That is the recommended method per many vet, rabies, and animal control seminars and organizations. Through contact with the public, checking yards, checking outdoor animal conditions an officer can see what is happening. The numbers speak to the problem here. The Mayor said that about 200 animals were licensed so far this year. Do you think there are more animals here than that? We do have some enforcement now. Yes, the Police, which by the way have had this duty traditionally in the city until a couple of years ago, do this. They now are the ones that take the calls for the specified duties as set fort by our Mayor. If there is a stray taken to the kennel by a citizen, they then can check the license status. If you find one, you probably will find more at the owner’s home when one is returned to that owner. By the way, look at the code. The license violations are addressed by various levels of infractions. There are Class A, B and C infractions. Sounds like laws that require an officer to write tickets and possibly arrest for to me.
Who is going to ENFORECE the lic issue – the Police? The budget has been cut which eliminated Animal Control Officer – this is what happens when jobs are cut.
How many animals are licensed in the city? That is the real question here. Many cats and dogs go unlicensed here. Maybe we have to have the impound fees increased. That would represent the true cost of the kennel. The process hurts the person who has the least amount of time. People over 65 should not be the only ones that get lifetime licenses for their pets. Everyone should have that option. Then it is a convenience issue that without renewals each year people may be more inclined to get that one time license. Also, there should be an age exception for the rabies that some vets approve of. Also, indoor cats do not get their shots or licenses because people do not feel it is necessary. However, they are here too. When we have an earthquake, fireworks or other similar event like just an open door or loose screen, they will be asking animal control for help in finding the pet. Do we ask for the license number when someone calls in to report a missing pet?
By moving the process to finance, we are showing that this is really a revenue generator rather than a Police or Public Works Service Fee.