Meeting Information

San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare
Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2004

1. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:45 pm on October 11, 2004

Present: Chair Kennedy, Commissioners Chi, Kipnis, Eickman, Guldbech,Weiss DVM, Herndon, and Chi

Absent with reason - Commissioners Wheeler and Franklin

2. Public Comment

None

3. Approval of September Minutes
Commissioner Eckman moved to approve the minutes with changes
Seconded by Kipnis
Unanimous

4. Chair's Report
Koretz Bill signed by the Governor - declawing of wild cats is a misdemeanor.
Commission will not be meeting in November due to Veterans Day. The Commission does not meet in December.

5. Committee Reports - None

6. Status and Tracking of letters of recommendation approved by the Commission, requesting action by the Board of Supervisors.

SF Zoo update

Commissioner Kipnis reported that Lulu and Tinkerbelle are still at the San Francisco Zoo.

Commissioner Kipnis reported that the crate is in place however, they can't get the door of the barn open, thereby delaying Lulu's transport to PAWS. Pat Derby has been witnessing staff working with Tinkerbelle, but Lulu has not been progressing. Mollinedo planning on sending Pat Derby a letter stating that the Zoo plans to retain ownership of the elephants.

Public Comment

Denis Bolbol - the reason that the crate is in place is because Commissioner Franklin and Elliot Katz met with Supevisor Gonzalez who was persistent with the zoo. Mollinedo knew there was a problem with the barn door since last Spring. Lulu will not see the crate for another month since the part to fix the door is on order. Mollinedo is talking about new exhibit for elephants - 5 -10 acres.

Commission Discussion

Commissioner Guldbech - Matt Gonzalez office has been in contact with Animals Care and Control (ACC) regarding issues with the zoo. Discussion about the zoo's ability to manage the zoo are underway. Possibility that ACC will take on control of the management of the animals at the zoo.

Move to new business.

8a. Discussion on a possible action to recommend to the board of Supervisor that there be a ban of elephants at the San Francisco Zoo.

Commissioner Kipnis presented a recommendation regarding banning elephants from the zoo. The recommendation was based on the following reasons

• The Zoo's elephants suffer from serious health problems, and two of four elephants died within three months of each other earlier this year;

• Confinement of elephants in small zoo enclosures is known to cause serious degenerative health conditions, including the types of foot and joint problems that have been plagued each of the Zoo's elephants for many years

• The elephant enclosures at the San Francisco Zoo were found by a 1999/2000 City Budget Analyst to be "out of date" and "especially poor;"

• The damp, foggy climate at the Zoo contributes to the degenerative health conditions from which the Zoo elephants suffer, according to experts consulted in the 1999/2000 performance audit;

• The San Francisco Zoological Society has limited funds and numerous financial demands as a result of the many outdated and inadequate enclosures for other species in addition to elephants; and

• All funds raised by the Zoo should be directed toward improving conditions for animals currently residing at the Zoo instead of creating a costly new elephant exhibit with new elephants brought to the Zoo for this purpose.

Commission agreed that the recommendation should focus only on what we know about the situation, which is the poor climate and financial limitations.

Public Comment

Denise Bolbol believes that an ordinance to ban elephants from the zoo will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors before the end of the year. She asked the Commission to reiterate what it had stated about the future of elephants at the zoo in it's April 12^th letter to the Board of Supervisors.

Commission Discussion

Space issue - not enough space for the elephants to thrive and the climate then negatively impacts elephants' joint and bone disease - due to fog and dampness. Commission also needs to continue to keep the focus on Lulu and Tinkerbelle. Given that Supervisor Gonzalez is preparing an ordinance to present to the Board of Supervisors at their next meeting, the Commission agreed to hold off on the recommendation for now and see what happens with the proposed ordinance.

Commissiner Guldbech will contact Commission Kipnis with a copy of the proposed ordinance.

Old Business

6b.Responsible Dog Guardianship Legislation Package

Dufty in favor of legislation and the next step is to present the legislation at the next of the City Services Committee.

6c Oversight of UCSF live-animal testing
Commissioner Franklin did speak with Supervisor Gonzalez - been in contact with UCSF on this issues.

Eckman - composition of oversight committee needs to be discussed. Does the city have the authority to be part of the oversight structure. Working with Suzanne Roy, IDA, on this issue.

Public Comment

None

7a - Possible ban on the sale of foie gras

Richard Sharon stated that we do not have a spring election in 2005 . Will have to wait until November to have this issue on the ballot. Suggested that we start meeting with Supervisors in February .

Public Comment

None

Task Allotment

Commissioner Guldbech will inform Commissioner Kipnis about the status of the zoo ordinance being developed in Supervisor's Gonzalez's office.

Commissioner Kennedy will follow-up with Supervisor Dufty on the responsible dog guardianship legislation.

Commissioner Franklin will follow up with Supervisor Gonzalez's office regarding live animal testing at USCF

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.