2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Minutes fromJune 14th, 2007
5:46pm
- Call to Order and Roll Call
Present: Chair Christine Garcia, Comr. Laurie Kennedy-Routhier, Comr. Mara Weiss DVM, , Comr. Philip Gerrie, Comr. Pam Hemphill, Comr. Sally Stevens, Comr. Sgt. William Herndon - SF Police, Comr. Capt. Vicki Guldbech - SF Animal Care & Control, Comr. Bob Palacio - SF Park & Rec.
Absent: Excused, Comr. Andrea Brooks and Unexcused, Public Health Dept.
- Public Comment
A member of the public commented on the situation of egg-laying hens in battery cages in the State of California . He described the keeping of the hens in very small cages in which several hens are put for their whole lives. As to the commentator many hens die of starvation after breaking their legs due to deteriorated bones and the narrowness of their cages. He also pointed out that several retailers already refuse to sell eggs from battery cages to their customers.
Roselyn Ward representing the S.F. Green Party demanded the abolition of battery cages.
Peter McCausky pointed to the conditions of battery hens in other States of the U.S. which he described to be comparable to the keeping conditions in the State of California . He described the conditions to be very narrow for the animals. 6 to 8 hens are kept in a cage the size of a newspaper. Because of the limited space the hens tend to cannibalize each other and there is no room for them to retreat against attacks.
Dr. Cole disagreed with item 7 on the agenda and stated that the item should not be discussed by the Commission given the priority of other more pressing subjects such as the situation of homeless in the city of San Francisco and the fact that there are no battery cages in the city of San Francisco.
Carl Friedman, the director of Animal Care and Control offerd the assistance of his agency to the Commission and expressed his hopes for a good cooperation.
- Approval of Draft Minutes from the previous meeting
Commissioner Garcia referred to the previous meeting and to the fact that due to several absences voting was impossible and therefore only a very abbreviated version of the minutes was drafted.
- Chairperson’s Report and Opening Remarks
Commissioner Garcia introduced herself and explained why she became the Chairperson for the meeting.
She then introduced the four new Commissioners, Andrea Brooks, who was not able to attend the meeting, Philip Gerrie, Pam Hemphill, and Sally Stevens.
Commissioner Garcia then made announcements of current affairs.
In Sunnyvale 30 pigeons have been killed at a Caltrain station (Laurence Station) after a large portion of the station including the at that time present pigeons was netted in. The pigeons died of starvation after 4-5 days inside the net, although several phonecalls from citizens had reached the authorities to release the birds. Commissioner Garcia addresses the city government to become involved in such matters by writing letters to other neighboring communities.
Also, on the Legilative Meeting on June 11th, Assemblywoman Audra Strickland required trappers who trap animals on private grounds in order to remove them from the properties to first try non-lethal methods of removal and only if unsuccessful, to kill the animals applying a humane killing method. She requested that the clients should be made aware of this possibility.
Commissioner Garcia also referred to a written statement which was handed out to the Board of Supervisors containing several suggestions. She asked for any comments or further suggestions on these issues.
She also directed the attention of the people present at the meeting to open or pending issues which are in need of consideration. She invited anyone interested in these issues to further process on them. The issues are drafting literature on Animals in Domestic Violence and Professional Dog Licensing.
- Committee Reports/ Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Garcia proposed a policy to encourage members of the public to refer to issues not related to animal welfare only if given a specific public platform to do so. She invited the Commission and the members of the public to comment on the proposal.
Sgt. Herndon from the SF Police pointed out that the proposal might interfere with the constitutional right of free speech. He suggested contacting the City Attorney in order to acquire information about the procedure.
Another member of the Commission suggests drafting a document prior to meetings in which all the relevant issues are listed.
Sgt. Herndon also referred to the possibility of inviting a mediator to the meeting.
Carl Friedman as a member of the public suggested a re-wording of the proposal, since it might be misinterpreted.
- Old Business
Commissioner Garcia introduced to the Commission a new resolution policy stating that there should be a private right of action made available for attorneys in animal welfare matters when the District Attorney refuses to file a claim against animal abusers. She pointed out that this issue should be of high priority for the city of San Francisco and a statement of the city toward other cities and the Nation.
Carl Friedman as a member of the public stated that the District Attorneys have put many offenders of animal welfare in jail and that their efforts should be acknowledged.
Vicki Guldbech makes it clear that the issue is no longer an ordinance but a policy.
Commissioner Garcia made a request that the policy should be handed over to the Board of Supervisors.
The request passes unanimously.
- New Business
A. Commissioner Gerrie introduced to the Commission a description of issue regarding the Resolution on Battery Cages.
He pointed out that there are no hens kept in battery cages in the city of SF but that the people do consume eggs which may originate from similar keeping methods.
He states that the public should be made aware of the fact that they have a choice in buying eggs from hens which are kept under better conditions.
B. Commissioner Garcia raised a Budget Approval Request for placards which was acknowledged by Carl Friedman and the placards for the members of the Commission were handed out.
C. Voting
Comr. Kennedy-Routhier states that she wished for the voting to move forward this month.
Chair Garcia’s nomination was seconded by Pam Hemphill.
Mara Weiss, DVM nominated and Sally Stevens seconded supported Routhier.
Philip Gerrie and Pam Hemphill supported Garcia.
Mara Weiss, DVM and Sally Stevens supported Routhier.
Public Comment:
Dr. Ronald Cole supported Routhier for her past experience.
Anna Williams strongly supported Garcia because of her interest of all animals.
Elisa with Defender of Dogs supported Garcia because of her legal background.
Lisa Stafford supported Routhier because of her previous work.
Richard Fong liked both candidates.
Roselyn Ward supported Garcia because of her committed volunteering in the past with In Defense of Animals.
Joanne Kipness supported Routhier as a prior Commissioner.
Commissioner Comment:
Sally Stevens mentioned that liked Garcia and her support of Routhier was not dispositive about her support of Garcia as well. Her decision was based upon the fact that there are 4 new members so institutionalized knowledge would be good.
Pam Hemphill stated that she supported Garcia because of her
Garcia stated that she supported Routhier but wanted her opportunity.
Philip Gerrie supported Garcia because of the learning curve.
Routhier stated that she wanted us to think about our goals and she also supported Garcia.
Mara Weiss, DVM stated she gave Routhier the support because of her past experience.
Voting:
Gerrie, Garcia and Hemphill supported Garcia
Stevens, Routhier and Weiss supported Routhier
- Public Comment
Unnamed Female #1 supported the anti-Battery Egg resolution.
Unnamed Male #2 supported the anti-Battery Egg Resolution.
- Special Adjournment in Memory of all the Pigeons who were recently killed in Sunnyvale.
7pm