Agenda 11/10/2009 Item #10A
Agenda Item NO.1 OA
November 10, 2009
Page 1 of 5
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approves conceptual
changes to the Animal Control Ordinance accommodating trap-neuter-return of
cats, incorporating anti-cruelty provisions such as anti-chaining of dogs, and
revising dangerous dog declaration appeal processes; and directs the County
Manager or his designep to prepare and advertise ordinance changes to be
approved by the Board at a future meeting
Obiective: To insure the health of the human residents and visitors of the County, with the
secondary purpose of insuring the health of animals in the County.
Considerations: Staff is proposing the following conceptual changes to the Animal Control
Ordinance:
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1. On October 13, 2009 Michele Antonia brought before the Board of County
Commissiont.:rs a proposal from Lhe Collier Community Cat Coalition to revise the
Animal Control Ordinance to accommodate a trap neuter and return program (TNR).
TNR is the practice of trapping un-owned feral and free-roaming cats, sterilizing and
vaccinating them, and returning them to their original location. Caretakers monitor the cat
colonies and remove any kittens or adoptable adults. The goal ofTNR is to humanely and
effectively reduce the number of cats in colonies and prevent an increase in the feral cat
population.
Revisions that will be required to accommodate trap-neuter-return within the Animal
Control Ordinance include the following: Addition of appropriate definitions in Section
Two; addition of a specified rabies quarantine protocol for ear notched/tipped/otherwise
marked cats in Section Six; exemption fi'om bcensure for feral cats belonging to
registered colonies in Section Seven; and a new Section Seventeen that stipulates that
feral cat colonies will be penllitted when registered with an agency contracted with
Collier County to monitor and managc the activities of feral cat caregivers, that the
colonies will be managed in compliance with the tenl1S and conditions of such a contr~ct,
that the agency contracted with Collier County to monitor and manage the activities of
Feral Cat Caregivers will intervene to correct alleged general nuisance violations, and
that if resolution of such complaints cannot be made within a specified time period
nonnal provisions of the Ordinance will apply.
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Staff recommends that conCUlTent to the above changes the Board of County
Commissioners executes an agreement with the Collier Community Cat Coalition
wherein the Coalition agrees to monitor the activities of feral cat colony caregivers,
ensure their adherence to best management practices, collect and repOli statistical data
regarding their activities, reclaim any managed feral cat impounded by Animal Services,
and intervene to correct general nuisance violations created by managed feral cats. The
agreement should stipulate that the program will be reviewed after a specified time period
to assess its success.
Aqenda Item t'-Jo. 10A
}~ovember 10, 2009
Page 2 of 5
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2. In response to citizen input at Domestic Animal Services Advisory Board meetings, staff
is proposing to revise the Animal Control Ordinance to incorporate anti-cruelty
provisions, including anti-chaining of dogs. Dogs are, by nature, social beings that thrive
on interaction with people and other animals. A dog that is kept chained to one spot
continuously suffers psycholo1}ic81 damage; they become neurotic, anxious, and
aggressive. Chained dogs' necks can become raw and infected from collars that are too
tight, and they can easily become entangled with other objects or may even be strangled
to death.
Section Nine of the Animal Control Ordinance will be revised to prohibit chaining of
dogs, except under specific circumstances. Provisions should include stipulations for the
length oftime a dog may be tethered, the appropriate fit of the collar or harness used, the
length and weight of the tether used, and safeguards to prevent tangling or shortening of
the tether and to ensure the dog is attended or checked on periodically.
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Domestic Animal Services will encourage owners who cUlTently practice continuous
fixed-point restraint of their dogs to choose healthy alternatives including: bringing the
dog inside the home, providing a "proper enclosure" as detlned in the Animal Control
Ordinance, and installing or repairing fencing. Dogs Deserve Better, and national 50 I (c)3
organization, has local representation that is willing to help provide educational services
and in some cases tinancial assistance to aid dog owners in coming into compliance.
3. The County Attorney's Office is proposing to revise Section Ten (the Dangerous Dog
section) of the Animal Control Ordinance. Proposed changes include 1) replacing the
three-person panel cunently used to hear appeals of dangerous dog determinations with
the Special Magistrate and 2) clarifying procedures for appeals of dangerous dog
detelminations to the courts. These changes are proposed to eliminate conflicts of interest
and codify procedures for appealing dangerous dog detem1inations.
At its October 20, 2009 meeting, the Domestic Animal Services Advisory Board voted to
recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that the Animal Control Ordinance be
revised in each of the three ways described above.
Fiscal Impact: No Fiscal Impact is associated with this action.
Growth ManaQement Impact: No Growth Management Impact is associated with this action.
LeQal Considerations: The proposed action has been reviewed by the County Attomey's
Office and is legally suftlcient for Board action. - CMG
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Recommendation: That the Board of County Commissioners approves conceptual changes to
the Animal Control Ordinance accommodating trap-neuter-return of cats, incorporating anti-
cruelty provisions such as anti-chaining of dogs, and revising dangerous dog declaration appeal
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Aqenda Item NO.1 CiA
November 10, 2009
Page 3 of 5
processes; and directs the County Manager or his uesignee to prepare and adveliise ordinant.:e
changes to be approved by the Board at a tuture lTlceting.
Prepared by: Amanda Townsend, Diredor, Domesti(; Animal Services
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Agenda Item NO.1 OA
November 10, 2009
Page 4 of 5
COLLIER CO-Ci~TY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
10A
Meeting Date:
Recommendation that the Board of County Commis.sioners approves conceptual changes to
the Animal Control Ordinance accommodating trap-neuter-return of cats, incorporating anti-
cruelty provisions such as comti-chaining of dogs, and revising dangerous dog declaration
appeal processes: and directs the County Manager or his designee to prepare and advertise
ordlllance changes to De approved by tne Board at a future meeting. (Amanda fownsend,
Domestic Animal Services Director)
11/10/20099:00:00 AM
Item Summary:
Prepa red By
Hailey Alonso
Administrative Assistant
Date
Public Services
Domestic Animal Services
101231200911:16:38 AM
Approved By
Kathy Carpenter
Executive Secretary
Date
Public Services
Public Services Admin.
10/23/2009 11 :37 AM
Approved By
Amanda Townsend
Operations Coordinator
Date
Public Services
Parks and Recreation
i 012612Q09 11 : 28 AM
Approved By
Marla Ramsey
Public Services Administrator
Date
Public Services
Public Services Admin.
10/2912009 11 :56 AM
Approved By
Colleen Greene
Assistant County Attomer
Date
County Attorney
County Attorney Office
1 Q/30/2009 1 : 59 PM
Approved By
Jeff K!atzkow
County Attorney
Date
County Attorney
County Attorney Office
10130/2009 3:42 PM
Approved By
OMS Coordinator
OMS Coordinator
Date
County Manager's Office
Office of Management & Budget
10/30/20093:58 PM
Approved By
Sherry Pryor
Management & Budget Analyst
Date
County Manager's Office
Office of Management g. Budget
11/212009 10:46 AM
Approved By
John A. Yonkosky
Director of the Office of Management
Date
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,L,genda 11em 1\)0 10A
November 10, 200':::1
Page 5 of 5
County Manager's Office
O'ifice of ;Vianagerneni. i~ Budget
i'\ /2/2009 '11: 16 .AM
Approved By
L€'0 E. Ochs, Jr.
COlmty Manage'r
Dale
Board of County
Commissioners
County Manager's Off!ce
11/2/20095:29 PM
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