Submitted by: Schaible
Submitting Department: Legislative
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
Animal Welfare and Community Safety Act
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance amending Chapter 52 of the Hyattsville Charter and Code to include the following items:
1. Update animal welfare provisions to include prohibitions on long-term tethering and exposure to severe weather.
2. Categorize animal control violations as a Public Nuisance violation (less severe) or a Public Threat violation (more severe).
3. Clarify enforcement procedures by:
a. Requiring the City to designate persons responsible for implementing Chapter 52 municipal infractions.
b. Specifying when municipal infractions require a citation and/or coordination with the Prince George’s County Animal Services Division.
c. Requiring the City to review and adapt Police General Orders to the requirements of Chapter 52.
d. Requiring the City to develop a Standardized Response Protocol for violations.
4. Enhance public awareness and preparedness on animal control issues by:
a. Providing educational outreach and promoting community awareness of incidents that may present a threat to public safety.
b. Requiring the City to collect and maintain data on animal control complaints and on actions taken in response to complaints and violations.
c. Requiring the City to prepare an annual report on Chapter 52 complaints and actions taken.
These amendments are further outlined in the attached “Animal Welfare and Community Safety Act Supplemental Information”.
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Summary Background:
Current regulations and enforcement of animal control issues in Hyattsville are unclear, haphazard, and have contributed to tragic outcomes for Hyattsville residents and companion animals. This amendment to Hyattsville Code Chapter 52 creates clear expectations for preventing and responding to animal aggression in Hyattsville and creates new protections to promote the humane treatment of companion animals.
The motion was considered by the Code Compliance Advisory Committee in March 2021 and received unanimous support by the committee in April 2021. They also recommended that the motion be revised to include a focus on enhanced educational outreach, that the motion is supported by the best available data, and that the motion emphasizes better coordination with the County. These requested changes have been incorporated into the motion.
In a meeting with PGCASD Chief Rodney Taylor on 11/13/2019, Mr. Taylor offered to provide Hyattsville with a “read only” software license for Chameleon, the software system that PGCASD uses to log its actions and record locations of confined and quarantined animals. Once obtained, this software will provide Hyattsville with valuable information in regard to any confinement or quarantine orders that have been issued by PGCASD within City limits.
Much credit is owed to the Hyattsville group Residents United for Furry Friends (RUFF) for helping identify shortcomings in our existing code and for their tireless work researching and recommending improvements to our Animal Control regulations.
Council held an initial discussion on this item on December 7, 2020, and a second discussion on 1/4/21.
Next Steps:
The City Attorney, in consultation with the Hyattsville Chief of Police and the Hyattsville Director of Community and Economic Development, will review and edit (as needed) the ordinance for future action by the Mayor and Council.
Fiscal Impact:
There will be additional requirements to report and follow-up with PGCASD in cases of animal aggression incidents. Hyattsville will continue to rely on PGCASD to adjudicate dog bites, as well as maintain the list of dangerous animals, quarantine orders, and confinement orders. Code enforcement responsibilities will be expanded modestly with clear expectations regarding implementation of Chapter 52, and enforcement of the new rules regarding restrictions on tethering and exposure to severe weather. Additional part-time staff support will be required. Cost to be determined.
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend support. Staff is supportive of a City liaison or representative role and working with Councilmember Schaible to identify any areas that may require clarification, be ambiguous, or difficult to enforce. Such items will be addressed prior to returning before Council to present a draft Ordinance in September 2021.
Community Engagement:
TBD
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending