Ordinance No. 20191017-025 Section 3-1-26 - Add language to (A); (2) has new language; original numbers (2) and (3) become (3) and (4): 3-1-26 NOTICE TO RESCUE ORGANIZATION (A) Not less than two business days before the euthanasia of any animal that does not qualify for exemption under Section C, the City animal shelter must: (C) This section does not apply to: (1) An animal who is irremediably suffering; (2) An animal who has been recommended for euthanasia for humane reasons or to protect the public from imminent danger to persons or property. To qualify, the animal must meet four of the following decision-making criteria: i. Multiple severe bites in either a single incident or multiple incidents. ii. Escalation to severity of bite incidents. iii. No immediate warning preceding a bite or bites. iv. Immediately after the bite occurs, the animal’s behavior appears to return to normal. v. Demonstrated aggression to other animals, most often including severe injury or death. vi. Demonstrated aggression to humans, most often including documented bites. vii. Shelter staff cannot safely care for or transfer the animal. (3) A dog whose release to a rescue organization would violate a court order; or (4) A dog with a documented history of unprovoked biting that has resulted in severe injury to a person.
August 2020 August 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News Animal Protection month of August. • A total of 427 animals were adopted (207 dogs, 208 cats, one livestock and one bird). • A total of 95 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). • A total of 851 animals were brought to the shelter (519 stray, 196 owner surrender, 23 abandoned, 50 public assist and 63 wildlife). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 52 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 38 fencing assistance applications, implanted eight microchips and impounded 171 injured animals. • Officers entered 207 rabies exposure reports and submitted 48 specimens for rabies testing. Eight bats tested positive and one raccoon. o The raccoon interacted with a dog in downtown Austin, so notification was sent out to the community regarding the positive test and to advise caution. APO’s are impounding any sick raccoons from this area regardless of contact to confirm that it was an isolated incident. • Animal Protection, along with other workgroups from Animal Services assisted in Hurricane Laura relief both at the intake facility at Circuit of the Americas and the temporary shelter set up by the city at the Austin Convention Center. • Wildlife APO received 55 total coyote-related activities: o 23 sightings o 20 wild sick reports of mange o 2 incidents involving pets o 2 observations o 1 encounter involving pet o 1 wild injured o 1 assist public involving sending emails to residents • Out of 55 coyote related activities, 26 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all 4 activities • o 1 incident involved a coyote jumping into a fenced backyard and killed dog. o 1 incident involved a coyote taking off leash cat. Was unable to contact resident. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in 3 out of 4 activities August 2020 Animal Services Report between and the coyote ran off. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs o 1 encounter involved a coyote following a girl walking her dog. A resident stepped in- • AAC continues add volunteer support incrementally. In August dog walkers increased to five walkers per day, and cat volunteers now have three spots per day. An anesthetic recovery volunteer spot has also been added, and additional recruitment efforts are being made …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20201012-4b Seconded By: Nancy Nemar Date: October 14, 2020 Subject: Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Motioned By: Craig Nazor Recommendation The Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin Animal Services participate in the HASS pilot program as a tier 1 city. Description of Recommendation to Council HASS will fundamentaly transform animal sheltering from the outdated 120 year-old pound/shelter model into the human animal support services model that emerged during the COVID-19 crisis. This new model will provide community based support and services that value all humans, all animals and their bond. What are the goals? • Rehoming without using the shelter kennel • Lost and Found without using the shelter kennel • Keeping Pets with Family by providing medical and behavioral support • Public Safety Reimagined • Intake to Placement ASAP What is HASS? ● HASS provides CASE Management to find the RIGHT pathway for each individual animal and person ● HASS is creating a network of community fosters who are able to accept animals instead of putting them in a shelter kennel ● HASS is sheltering animals who have no other legitimate option ● HASS is a transition - as programs are built, animals and people use those programs What HASS is not. ● HASS is NOT leaving animals on the streets to die ● HASS is NOT forcing people to be part of the network of support ● HASS is NOT preventing animals from entering the shelter who really need to be there ● HASS is NOT a sudden beginning 1 of 2 Rationale: HASS will be the most significant change to Animal Services any of us will ever participate in. Therefore it is our expectation and request that the City Council do the following as part of any resolution. a. Set up a task force of city employees, citizens, commission members and public officials to work on fully integrating Animal Services with Human Services initiatives. b. Set clear performance metrics that show shift in services, budget, efficacy of new programs and outcomes. Vote For: 8 Against: 3 Abstain: 1 Absent: one vacancy Respectfully submitted. Attest: AAC Chair 2 of 2
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20201012-4b Seconded By: Nancy Nemer Date: October 14, 2020 Subject: Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Motioned By: Craig Nazor Recommendation The Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin Animal Services participate in the HASS pilot program as a tier 1 city. Description of Recommendation to Council HASS will fundamentaly transform animal sheltering from the outdated 120 year-old pound/shelter model into the human animal support services model that emerged during the COVID-19 crisis. This new model will provide community based support and services that value all humans, all animals and their bond. What are the goals? • Rehoming without using the shelter kennel • Lost and Found without using the shelter kennel • Keeping Pets with Family by providing medical and behavioral support • Public Safety Reimagined • Intake to Placement ASAP What is HASS? ● HASS provides CASE Management to find the RIGHT pathway for each individual animal and person ● HASS is creating a network of community fosters who are able to accept animals instead of putting them in a shelter kennel ● HASS is sheltering animals who have no other legitimate option ● HASS is a transition - as programs are built, animals and people use those programs What HASS is not. ● HASS is NOT leaving animals on the streets to die ● HASS is NOT forcing people to be part of the network of support ● HASS is NOT preventing animals from entering the shelter who really need to be there ● HASS is NOT a sudden beginning 1 of 2 Rationale: HASS will be the most significant change to Animal Services any of us will ever participate in. Therefore it is our expectation and request that the City Council do the following as part of any resolution. a. Set up a task force of city employees, citizens, commission members and public officials to work on fully integrating Animal Services with Human Services initiatives. b. Set clear performance metrics that show shift in services, budget, efficacy of new programs and outcomes. Vote For: 8 Against: 3 Abstain: 1 Absent: one vacancy Respectfully submitted. Attest: AAC Chair 2 of 2
SPEAKER LIST: Animal Advisory Commission Remote Meeting, Monday, Oct. 12, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Item 4b F/A/N F Name Ellen Jefferson 10/9; 3:07 pm Lucy Fernandez 10/11; 9:31 am Christine Poreca 10/11; 9:52 am Sandra Muller 10/11; 11:15 am Yolanda Rodriguez 10/11 11:46 am Pat Valls-Trellis 10/11; 11:49 am 4b 4b 3a 3b 4b 2a 2a F F A F A A A
AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-10-12 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING October 12, 2020 APPROVED DECEMBER 17, 2020 The Animal Advisory Commission convened, via video conferencing, in a Regular Meeting, Monday, October 12, 2020, 6 p.m. Chair David Lundstedt conducted a verbal roll call and called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: David Lundstedt, Lisa Mitchell, Craig Nazor, Katie Jarl, Palmer Neuhaus, Edward Flores (joined the meeting during Item 3b), Dr. Jon Brandes, Nancy Nemer, Monica Frenden, Andrea Schwartz, JoAnne Norton, and Ryan Clinton. Commission Members Absent: District 4 Vacant Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Belinda Hare Speakers included (agenda item): • Ellen Jefferson, 2a • Lucy Fernandez, 2a • Sandra Muller, 3a; 3b; 4b • Yolanda Rodriguez, 2a • Pat Valls-Trellis, 2a 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Nazor moved to approve the minutes from the September 21, 2020, Special Called Meeting; Commissioner Nemer seconded the motion. Commissioner Norton abstained. Motion passed 10 - 2 with one abstention and Commissioner Flores not present. Commissioners Lundstedt, Mitchell, Nazor, Jarl, Neuhaus, Brandes, Nemer, Frenden, Schwartz, and Clinton voted to approve. Commissioner Flores joined the meeting at Item 3b; District 4 position is vacant. 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-10-12 2. Staff Briefings a. Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer (CASO), and Jason Garza, Deputy CASO, presented the August 2020 Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Workgroup on Austin Animal Center’s Shelter-Neuter-Return (SNR) Program No action. b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Code Revision Workgroup. Commissioner Schwartz moved to adopt changes to the ordinance as presented by Commission Norton; Commissioner Nazor seconded the motion. Commissioners voted 9 to 3 against the motion. Those voting against included Commissioners Lundstedt, Mitchell, Jarl, Neuhaus, Frenden, Nazor, Brandes, Nemer and Clinton. Commissioners Norton, Flores and Schwartz voted for the motion. District 4 is vacant. 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on the Commission’s 2021 meeting schedule. Commissioner Mitchell moved the meeting schedule as presented; Commissioner Jarl seconded the motion which passed unanimously 12 to 0, with all Commissioners present voting for the meeting schedule. to accept b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Human Animal Support Services (HASS). Commissioner Nazor moved to recommend City Council participate in HASS; Commissioner Nemer seconded the motion which passed 8 to 3, with Commissioner Frenden abstaining. Those voting in favor …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission Monday, September 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Animal Advisory Commission special meeting to be held September 21 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Sunday noon, September 20. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978-0565, no later than noon, Sunday, September 20. Email works best for communicating. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov by Sunday noon, September 20. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Animal Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion Monday, September 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación by Sunday noon, September 20. Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: junta en Belinda Hare, at • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978-0565 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission Monday, September 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Animal Advisory Commission special meeting to be held September 21 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Sunday noon, September 20. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978-0565, no later than noon, Sunday, September 20. Email works best for communicating. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov by Sunday noon, September 20. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Animal Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion Monday, September 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación by Sunday noon, September 20. Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: junta en Belinda Hare, at • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978-0565 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una …
Animal Advisory Commission Special Called Meeting September 21, 2020 Animal Advisory Commission HASS Working Group Proposals for Commission Consideration Special Called Meeting, September 21, 2020 Agenda Item 2a a. To recommend that Animal Services be designated an "essential service" and that hiring for Animal Services positions be "unfrozen." b. To recommend that the City of Austin participate in the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) program.
AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-09-14 REGULAR MEETING APPROVED SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION September 14, 2020 The Animal Advisory Commission convened via a remote meeting, Monday, September 14, 2020, 3:02 to 4:37 p.m. Chair David Lundstedt conducted a verbal roll call and called the Commission Meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: David Lundstedt, Lisa Mitchell, Craig Nazor, Palmer Neuhaus, Andrea Schwartz, JoAnne Norton, Nancy Nemer, and Ryan Clinton. Commission Members Absent: Dr. Jon Brandes, Katie Jarl, Edward Flores, Monica Frenden, District 4 Vacant Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Abigail Varela, and Belinda Hare Speakers: The following seven citizens spoke for three minutes on agenda items as noted: Christine Poreca, 4b Lana Lesley, item 4b Sandra Muller, 3c Lucy Fernandez, 4b Nicole Clark, 4b Pat Valls-Trellis, 4b Dolly Ensey, 4b 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-09-14 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Nemer moved to approve the minutes from the August 7, 2020, Special Called meeting, and Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0, with Commissioner Mitchell abstaining. Commissioners Lundstedt, Nazor, Neuhaus, Schwartz, Norton, Nemer and Clinton voted approval. Commissioners Dr. Brandes, Jarl, Edwards and Frenden were absent, and District 4 is vacant. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Animal Services Office (ASO) Chief Animal Services Officer, Don Bland, and Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, presented July and August 2020 monthly reports. b. Don Bland provided updates on expenditures and vacant positions. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Budget and Priorities Workgroup. Commissioners to discuss Animal Services Office (ASO) budget priorities. No Action. b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Workgroup on Austin Animal Center’s Shelter-Neuter-Release (SNR) Program. No Action c. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Code Revision Workgroup. Commissioners to discuss review of Ordinance 2019107-025 and recent Code Revisions regarding public safety and animal welfare. Commissioner Norton presented two recommendations from the Work Group: 1) to remove the word, “fear,” from Section 3-1-1 (20); and 2) to add language to the ordinances, including new language for Section 3-1-26, Notice to Rescue Organization. Commissioner Schwartz moved to approve the removal of the word, “fear,” from Section 3-1-1 (20); Commissioner Norton seconded. Commissioners Lundstedt, Norton and Schwartz voted for the move; Commissioners Mitchell, Neuhaus, Nazor, Nemer and Clinton voted against. Motion failed, 5 – 3. Commissioners discussed concerns and suggested changes to recommendation which will be brought forward …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-09-21 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 APPROVED October 12, 2020 The Animal Advisory Commission convened via a remote, Special Called Meeting, Monday, September 21, 2020, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Chair David Lundstedt conducted a verbal roll call and called the Commission Meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Commission Members in Attendance: David Lundstedt, Lisa Mitchell, Craig Nazor, Katie Jarl, Edward Flores, Monica Frenden, Andrea Schwartz, JoAnne Norton, and Ryan Clinton. Commission Members Absent: Palmer Neuhaus, Dr. Jon Brandes, Nancy Nemer, District 4 Vacant Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Belinda Hare Speakers included (agenda item): • Ellen Jefferson, 2a • Lucy Fernandez, 2a • Yolanda Rodriguez, 2a • Pat Valls-Trellis, 2a • Wendy Murphy, 2a 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 Commissioner Nazor moved to approve the minutes from the September 14, 2020, meeting, and Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously, 9-0. Commissioners Lundstedt, Mitchell, Nazor, Jarl, Flores, Frenden, Schwartz, Norton, and Clinton voted approval. Commissioners Neuhaus, Dr. Brandes, and Nemer were absent, and District 4 is vacant. AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-09-21 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Recommendations from the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Work Group. Commissioner Nazor moved to recommend that the City of Austin participate in the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Program; Commissioner Mitchell seconded the motion. Commissioner Frenden recused from voting. Commissioners Lundstedt, Mitchell, Nazor, Jarl, and Clinton voted in favor; Commissioners Flores, Schwartz and Norton voted against. Commissioners Neuhaus, Dr. Brandes and Nemer were absent; District 4 position is vacant Motion failed 5-3. Commissioner Clinton moved to accept the second recommendation from the HASS Work Group which is to recommend that Animal Services be designated an “essential service’ and that hiring for Animal Services positions be “unfrozen.” All Commissioners present voted in favor: Lundstedt, Mitchell, Nazor, Jarl, Flores, Schwartz, Frenden, Clinton and Norton. Motion passed unanimously 9-0. Commissioners Neuhaus, Dr. Brandes and Nemer were absent; District 4 position is vacant 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioners agreed to include the following under Old Business: a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Workgroup on Austin Animal Center’s Shelter-Neuter-Release (SNR) Program Commissioners to discuss concerns regarding ASO’s SNR program for cats. b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Code Revision Workgroup Commissioners to discuss review of Ordinance 2019107-025 and recent Code Revisions regarding public safety and animal welfare. Commissioners agreed to include …
Animal Advisory Commission Remote Meeting Monday, September 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Animal Advisory Commission meeting to be held September 14 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by noon on Sunday, September 13. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison, Belinda Hare, at Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978-0565, no later than noon on Sunday, September 13. Email works best for these meetings. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, a telephone number and email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak (no later than 2:45 p.m. for this meeting}. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov by Noon on Sunday, September 13. The information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live. Versión en español a continuación. Reunión del Animal Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Monday, September 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m.) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (September 13 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov or 512-978- 0565, a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • …
Ordinance No. 20191017-025 Section 3-1-1 (20): (20) UNPROVOKED BITING means biting that is not provoked. Biting is unprovoked if, among other things, it occurs during ordinary care, including feeding and placing a collar, leash or harness on a dog, or from merely initiating interaction with a dog, or standing and facing the dog, walking towards a dog or its owner or addressing the dog’s owner. Biting is provoked if, among other things, it occurs because the dog was being taunted, or the dog was acting in defense of self, a person, another animal, or property, or the dog was acting from maternal instinct, or the dog was reacting to hunger, pain, or fear, or the dog bites accidentally, as when playing. To be provoked a biting must occur contemporaneously with or immediately following the provocation. Section 3-1-26 - Add language to (A); (2) has new language; original (2) and (3) become (3) and (4): 3-1-26 NOTICE TO RESCUE ORGANIZATION (A) Not less than two business days before the euthanasia of any animal that does not qualify for exemption under Section C, the City animal shelter must: (C) This section does not apply to: (1) An animal who is irremediably suffering; (2) An animal who, after a high risk assessment, has been recommended for euthanasia for humane reasons or to protect the public from imminent danger to persons or property. Such animal may be euthanized without regard to any time limitations otherwise established in this title and without court order; (3) A dog whose release to a rescue organization would violate a court order; or (4) A dog with a documented history of unprovoked biting that has resulted in severe injury to a person.
CODE REVISION WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATION, SEPTEMBER 2020 MISSION Review of Ordinance 2019107-025 with regard to public safety and animal welfare RECOMMENDATION #1 - REMOVE THE WORD “FEAR” FROM THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED SECTION IN 3-1-1 (20), LEAVING IT TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (20) UNPROVOKED BITING means biting that is not provoked. Biting is unprovoked if, among other things, it occurs during ordinary care, including feeding and placing a collar, leash or harness on a dog, or from merely initiating interaction with a dog, or standing and facing the dog, walking towards a dog or its owner or addressing the dog’s owner. Biting is provoked if, among other things, it occurs because the dog was being taunted, or the dog was acting in defense of self, a person, another animal, or property, or the dog was acting from maternal instinct, or the dog was reacting to hunger, pain or the dog bites accidentally, as when playing. To be provoked a biting must occur contemporaneously with or immediately following the provocation. Note: Text in red was approved at the January 2020 Animal Advisory Commission meeting but is still not part of Code. RECOMMENDATION #1 JUSTIFICATION "Fear" is not a visible action, it is an internal state It ‘s often difficult to ascertain internal state when a bite occurs (even for trained observers) Even if we can identify fear as a motivation, that doesn’t mean the dog is “safe”, treatable, or behaving normally The presence of “fear” in a severe bite situation is far too vague a reason to release a high-risk dog City law and Mr Bland concur with our recommendation RECOMMENDATION #2 - ADD TEXT HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW (A) Not less than two business days before the euthanasia of any animal that does not qualify for exemption under Section C, the City 3-1-26 NOTICE TO RESCUE ORGANIZATION animal shelter must: (C) This section does not apply to: (1) An animal who is irremediably suffering; (2) An animal who, after a high risk assessment, has been recommended for euthanasia for humane reasons or to protect the public from imminent danger to persons or property. Such animal may be euthanized without regard to any time limitations otherwise established in this title and without court order. (3) A dog whose release to a rescue organization would violate a court order; or (4) A dog with a documented history of unprovoked biting …
Animal Advisory Commission Meeting September 14, 2020 Animal Advisory Commission HASS Working Group Proposals for Commission Consideration 1. Agenda Item 4a 2. Agenda Item 4b a. To recommend that Animal Services be designated an "essential service" and that hiring for Animal Services positions be "unfrozen." a. To recommend that the City of Austin participate in the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) program.
