HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1132 (2)Request from the Animal Control Ad Hoc Committee for Review/Approval
of Animal Control Ordinance Amendments: Animal Control Supervisor Weisner
said the ad hoc committee recommended the following amendments to the ordinance.
• A separate classification for "potentially dangerous dog" in an effort to distinguish
between the animals that appear dangerous from the ones that have actually bitten
someone.
• Under the dangerous dog and the potentially dangerous dog definitions, a statement
about dogs being deemed dangerous in another county or state.
• That a severe injury would mean any physical injury that would require medical
treatment by a medical professional.
• Under the precautions against potentially dangerous dogs, an addition pertaining to a
"suitable enclosure" and that "the owner shall pay the balance of the board fee when
the enclosure was finished." Also, a stipulation that a tattoo would be permissible if
an owner chose this method over a microchip, but only after the animal control
department issued a number.
• Under the violations clause pertaining to potentially dangerous dogs, a statement
indicating the animal would be held at the animal control department until an appeal
was heard. Also, if the owner didn't appeal within three days, the dog would be
destroyed on the fourth day. Further, if the owner lost the appeal, the dog would be
destroyed on the next day after the decision.
Weisner said a veterinarian or tattoo parlor could provide the tattoos. He said,
however, he wasn't aware of any tattoo parlors providing the service. Weisner said his
office would issue and maintain the tattoo numbering system.
Commissioner Madison voiced concerns about the severe injury statement and
the part about requiring medical treatment from a medical professional. He said he
preferred the former severe injury wording where it stated it was one that resulted in
broken bones or broken skin.
Mashburn said the medical professional requirement might eliminate some
potentially awkward situations for the animal control officers.
Weisner said the courts would put more credence on the opinion from people in
the medical profession. He added that the dog owner would be liable for the medical
expenses.
Madison said the burden of proof fell back on the victim, and he didn't think this
was right. He also mentioned how difficult and expensive it was for people to recover
what was owed to them through the courts.
Request for Approval of the Emergency Medical Services Write -Off Policy
for Homeless, Indigent, and Transient Patients: EMS Director Lee Darnell said the
write-off policy was first presented to the board at the March 18, 2003 meeting, and at
that time, he was directed to research the unpaid accounts to determine if there might be
any lien opportunities. Mn Darnell said his office had finished the research, and no
collection leads were found.
Emergency Services Director Jackson said the billing office would continue to
seek reimbursement in the future if a person with a written -off account needed EMS
assistance,
Update on the Iredell County Emergency Medical Services Plan: Darnell
said the EMS Plan would be presented for approval at the June 17 meeting. He said the
county EMS Department would be the lead agency for all of the emergency providers in
the county. He said the plan was a State law requirement, and it would be a lengthy
and comprehensive document.