HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-20 ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD 0F THE
CITY OF PEARLAND, HELD ON OCTOBER 20, 1992, AT 6:00 P_M. IN THE
MUNICIPAL COURTROOM OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, 2703 VETERANS
DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The hearings were called to order with the followiny present:
Dr. Bobby Stevener
Bill Pratt
Ben Pinales
Parris Curry
Renee Monceaux
Tommie Jean Vial
Absent from the Hearinys:
Board Chairman
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Animal Control Officer
Assistant City Secretary
Board Member Susan Elam
Others present: Rob and Lynell Harding, owner of the animals of
the first heariny; Olin and Lilian Graham, who were keeping the
animals at the time of the incident; Javier Caballero and Armando
Garza, Pearland Police Officers and Eddie Boudreaux, Animal Control
Of f icier .
PURPOSE OF THE HEARINGS
To near two separate dog Dite cases and to decide whether the dogs
should be classified as "dangerous dogs".
First Hearing - Lynell Harding
Board Member Parris Curry excused himself since he is aeyua=rated
with the Grahams and this couia be a cvntlict of interest. Dr.
Stevener requested Renee Monceaux, Animal Control Officer, to give
the case history of the first incident.
Renee explained the two dogs belonging to Lynell Harding were on
the property of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, at the time of
the incident, and presented the Board Members with a summary of the
case. Both dogs were quarantined since there was a question as to
which dog actually bit the victim (who was not present at the
heariny) .
Dr. Stevener inquired it the two dogs were enclosed behind a fence.
ML. and Mrs. Uraham explained the doys weLe allowed out of the
fenced back yard because there were two young men playing softball
there_ Mr_ Graham explained the victim, who was an acquaintance of
the Graham's son and was familiar with their animals, rode her
bicycle to their residence carryiny her own cloy in ner backpauk.
She parked her bicycle in their c.riveway anc was carrying tier dog
in ner arms when she was bitten by one of Lynell Harding's two
dogs.
Since the victim was not present
to a tape made ot her version ot
the same as that presented by
statea that she tnougnt it was a
ner Cog on their property.
at the hearing, the Board listened
the incident, which was basically
Mr. Graham; however, the victim
bad decision on her part to bring
It was brought out that it nac been approximately 18 months since
tne dogs last rabies vaccination, due to the oversight of the
owner. It was also brouyht out that the male doy had not been
neutered.
The owner of the doys stated they would be kept on their property
in the County.
Dr. Stevener stated that since the victim did not know for sure
which doy bit her, the Board would have to cunsiaer whether both
cloys should be classitied as "dangerous"_ Atter polling the
members ot the Board, it was determined that neither doy be
considered "dai,yerous", but they must be tattooeca. However, since
there was a question on the language ot Sec_ 6-6 ot the ordinance
regarding the tattooing ot any animal that bites, scratches or
attacks any person while off the premises of the owner, it was
determined tattooing of the cogs could not be mandatory_
Dr_ Stevener advised the owner that they should keep the doys in
confinement at all times, especially tne male clog and to consider
neutering him it they do not plan to use him tor breeding purposes.
Also, he stated he thouyht there was neyliyence un their part for
lettiny the doys run loose.
Second Hearing - E. J. Cole
Pearlana Police Otticer Javier Caballero, Supervisor of the Animal
Control Department, reviewed the offense report of the second duy
bite case fur the Board Members as toliows:
Otticer Caballero stated that on Sunday, uctober 11, 1992, a mother
was walkiny with her children alony the loadiny aocKs or Cole's
Flea MarKet on Main Street, holding her 23 -month old daughter in
her arms_ As she was walkiny alony this area, she noticed the
Rottweiler doy on one side or the loadiny dock ana thought it was
chained_ However, betore she Knew it, the dog came and attacked
her daughter in her arms. The dog bit her daughter three times as
the mother was tryiny to hold her dauyhter up away from the cog_
On the last bite, the dog locked its jaws on ner daughter and
started throwing and banging her around on the concrete. The baby
lost her left kidney, suffered a bruised spleen and a cracked rib
trom this attack, Which witnesses said was unprovoked_ Otticer
Caballero submitted photographs ot the injured baby to the Board
for their review.
Officer Caballero also stated that Mr. Cole admitted to nim that ne
was the owner ot the dog and voluntarily placed him in the Animal
Control truck and gave permission for his disposal.
It was moved by Member Curry, seconded by Member Pinales that the
dog be put to sleep.
Voting "Aye" - Members Curry, Pinales, Stevener and Pratt.
Voting "No" - None
Motion passed 4 to 0.
Renee Munceaux advised that the doy would be euthanizea tomorrow,
Wednesday, October 21, 1992.
COMPLETE TAPE OF THE HEARINGS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
SECRETARY.
APPROVAL OF MINuTES
It was moved by Member Pratt, seconded by Member Pinales that the
minutes of the June 23, 1992 public heariny be approved as
presented.
Motion passed 3 to 0, with Member Curry abstaining.
Dr. Stevener advised Renee Monceaux to set up a meeting ot the
Board to consider makiny corrections to the Animal Control
Ordinance.
ADJOURN
Meetiny adjourned at 7.10 p. m_ /
minutes approved and/or curreuted this /(7 day of /l.i'/
A. D_, 1992.
ATTEST:
Secretary
Ate
n
Dr. Bobby Stevener
Chairman