2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Minutes from August 9th, 2007
5:50 PM
- Call to Order and Roll Call
Present: Chair Christine Garcia, Comr. Laurie Kennedy-Routhier, Comr. Mara Weiss, Comr. Philip Gerrie, Comr. Sally Stephens, Comr. Andrea Brooks, Comr. Sgt. William Herndon – SF Police, Comr. Bob Palacio – SF Park & Rec.
Absent: Excused, Comr. Pam Hemphill, Vacant Public Health Dept.
- Public Comment
Lisa Vittori expressed a concern that Park & Rec’s newly hired rangers would be used to ticket dog walkers with dogs off-leash.
Bob O’Brien spoke of a lawsuit filed against UCSF against the use of animals in their research especially the use of dogs.
- Approval of Draft Minutes from previous meeting June 7, 2007
- Chairperson’s Report and Opening remarks
Comr. Garcia apologized for the cancellation of last month’s meeting. The agenda was not posted with in 72 hours. Comr. Garcia also spoke of the recent deaths of goats in Marin & game fowl inSacramento.
- Committee Reports
Comr. Garcia has requested a representative from Public Health Dept but hasn’t received a reply.
A.
Guest speaker, Virginia Handley, spoke of California Animal Legislation. AB449 & AB 1477 regulating nuisance trappers would require customers be informed of the fate of the trapped animal. It would also regulate humane methods of killing.
A bill for minimum standards for the care of animals in pet shops would require a warning if violated. In the past warnings have not resulted in action. AB1614 will require more humane treatment at rodeos. AB1634 spay/neuter bill has been withdrawn but SF can lower fees for spay/neutering on its own without waiting on the State. SB1633, Carol Migden’s bill, would require consumers be informed if animal products are from cloned animals, suggests ACW support Carol Migden in this effort. SB353 would add animals to a restraint order. SB880 would allow the sale of kangaroo products in California. Adidas has sponsored this bill and suggest opposition. The current unapproved budget has no provision for more wardens who handle cases brought to Fish & Game concerning the sale of illegal animals in the live animal market. SF currently does not have a game warden. Encourages ACW to take an active roll on legislative issues concerning animals.
Public Comment:
Richard Fong would be more supportive to alternatives to AB 1634
Jamie Ray of SF ROMP supports AB1614 because it will require to have a vet on staff and decrease the number of rodeos held each year. Supports AB1477 requiring customers to know that trapped animals will be killed as trapped wildlife cannot be relocated in California. AB 449 is problematic due to difficulty in killing by trappers in a humane way. It would allow for killing an animal only in a Co2 chamber which is not considered humane. Appendix 3 would allow for allowing other human methods such as shooting. Laurie Routhier pointed out that the ACW has no ability to voice concerns to the state legislature only to the Board of Supervisors.
Comr. Laurie Routhier explained past unsuccessful efforts to voice the Commissions concerns to the State via the Board of Supervisors
Comr. William Herndon pointed out that the AWC is an advisory body only to the Board of Supervisors that doesn’t prevent us as individuals from speaking to the Legislature.
B. Recent deaths of two coyotes in GG Park.
Guest speaker, Kat Brown deputy director of ACC in SF, described the coyote incident starting on July 14th in which the report states that a coyote had jumped on the back of a leashed dog and bit it. No action was taken then except to post warning signs in the area. It was assumed to be an isolated incident. The next morning, July 15th four off-leash dogs in the area were chased by coyotes until leashed. Coyotes showed no fear of dogs nor humans at that point. Fish & Game were notified and insisted on meeting that afternoon. ACC had been supportive of coyotes in SF since first seen 18 months ago. The coyotes were spotted while different State & City representatives met at the site of the attacks. USDA & Fish & Game officials determined that the coyotes were habituated to humans and thus were a public safety risk. Kat received a call later that night that two coyotes were shot by Fish & Game. The aftermath has shown a need for ACC to increase an educational campaign about co-existing with wildlife. The coyote educational efforts include; door hangers, posters, out-reach to make sure coyotes can survive in SF. ACC has met with concerned representatives of groups such as ROMP, SPCA, Sierra Club etc..
Comr. Garcia asked if there are future similar incidents will ACC report it to Fish & Game so readily.
Kat Brown replied probably not so quickly and investi.
gate on their own first.
Comr. Garcia asked about relocation possibilities.
Kat Brown replied that relocating wildlife is illegal in California. The most humane death was two single shots that killed them instantly. Fish & Game makes the rules about relocating wild animals with in the State. They are charged with public safety. ACC knew when they called Fish & Game that they could not relocate the coyotes. ACC thought that Fish & Game would only advise them on how to handle the situation. The red flag was when a coyote jumped on a dog three times its size. This was not normal behavior.
Comr. Herndon asked Kat if we a re obligated to call Fish & Game about such situations.
Kat Brown replied that they do have some discretion but when it is perceived as a public safety issue they are obligated to call.
Comr. Routhier asked Kat if securing food trash more securely such as in in bear-proof containers would help.
Kat Brown replied that that would help. Picking the cans up on a regular basis would also help. Kat recommended bear-proof can through the City as coyotes are throughout the City.
Guest Speaker Kiska Icard (SF/SPCA) will work with other City agencies regarding wildlife. Links on SPCA’s website to resources are in place. SPCA will educate consistent with ACC and incorporate coyote awareness into their humane education programs.
Comr. Garcia read into the record a letter from API, Animal Protection Institute. The letter offered API’s assistance, information and referals in non lethal and humane treatment of wildlife. Api’s website includes good wildlife policies adopted by other CA cities
Comr. Garcia read into the record a letter from Golden Gate Audubon Society. The letter supported Coyotes as part of a Bio-Diversity management plan. Suggestions included not feeding coyotes; keeping pets indoors at night, education; enforcement of existing laws against feeding wildlife and enforcing leash laws.
Public Comment:
Arelene Gimmel asked Kat if she knew who the Presidio had hired as a wildlife management expert. Kat did not know but would be interested to find out. Arelene was concerned about coyotes eating food intended for feral cats and possible enforcement of feeding wildlife prohibitions. She also hoped that the newly hired park Rangers would enforce the existing leash and other laws.
Martha Hoffman stated that feral cats have reduced in numbers by 90% since 1993. She suggested coyotes be neutered as feral cats are. She also suggested waivers of banning relocation of wildlife. She asked that feral cats not be blamed.
Alicia with Defender of Dogs felt that the problem was with the homeless and food left behind from them. She suggested fencing off an area in GG Park to keep problem coyotes.
Virginia Handley spoke of the coyotes having plenty to eat on their own, gophers etc. She supported signs to bring awareness to the public.
June Wilson, said that Fish & Game were too trigger happy.
Jamie Ray of ROMP proposed AWC asking Board of Supervisors for money to post permanent signs in the park about what is natural and unnatural behavior, to report unnatural behavior for coyotes, and not to feed them. She also said that SF is the first County in CA to ban 2nd generation rodenticides so rodent predators should be encouraged .
Dr. Ron Cole proposed that homeless clean up include their refuse as well as needles.
Bob O’brien asked Kat what would ACC do differently in the future rather than call Fish & Game. Kat replied that they would contact local experts first but if public safety is a risk they may not go through all possible local people.
Richard Fong expressed clarification of existing codes regarding dangerous animals.
Nancy Stafford feels that off leash dogs and feral cats are not a mitigating issue.
Commission comments of item 5 B
Comr. Gerrie read into the record comments of Matthew Zlatunich who proposed that the AWC pursue improvement of SF’s biodiversity management policies and practices.
- Old Business
Comr. Routhier on dog walker permitting
Comr. Palacio gave an update on the need for regulation of dog walkers due to increased usage of dog walking areas in the City’s parks administered by the Park & Rec dept.
Public Comment
Alicia asked Comr. Palacio if any limit was set for how many dogs can be walked at a time. Comr. Palacio replied that it was currently set at six but it wasn’t definite. Alicia read a proposal to incrementally increase dog walking fees for walking more than 6
Jamie Ray asked if this was to raise money or to regulate dog walkers. Comr. Routhier replied that it wouldn’t raise money but rather to regulate professional dog walkers overseen by Rec & Park. Comr Palacio said that it would enforced by the new park Rangers and that infractions of the rules would result in the pulling of the dog walking permit.
Joe Hague, with Pro-Dog urged passing the measure as it is written as it has been in ACW for apx. a year.
Nancy Stafford of Pro-Dog asked if what was being urged to pass was the same as written on May 21.
Teal Weiss of Pro-Dog urged the measures passage.
Eric Weiss urged the measures’ passage, to upgrade/renovate existing enclosed dog enclosures and to establish new ones.
Ruth Jensen of Pro Dog wants the measures passage to gain respectability for the profession.
Richard Fong agreed with Comr. Bob Palacio.
Commission Discussion
Comr. Routhier recommended a motion to write a proposal letter to the Board of Supervisors containing some of the pros and cons about the number of dogs that can be walked and that this recommendation be passed to the Board of Supervisors and to Park & Rec that this permitting process go forward.
Comr. Palacio said that AWC’s dog walking numbers and Park & Rec’s Commission dog walking numbers (currently 6) will both be considered . The Park & Rec’s Commission will take a while to work on this issue as they have not started yet.
Comr. Herndon clarified what was being voted on which is a recommendation of dog walking policy that may or may not be adopted by the Board of Supervisors which would then go to Rec & Park for approval as it is under their jurisdiction. Rec & Park cannot set fees but could recommend to the Board of Supervisors a fee that the Park & Rec dept could charge for the permit.
Comr. Routhier motion is amended to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors that a permit process be put in place for Rec & Park lands that includes guidelines already discussed including max. number of dogs , 6 or 8 + allowed to be walked with attachments of arguments for & against those numbers. That we do not include penalties. That we do include draft that Comr. Palacio presented to get it into Rec & Parks hands as soon as possible. That what is being voted on is the May 21 st draft but taking out the penalties and including arguments for 6 or 8 + dogs.
Voting. All Commissioners voted for the Dog Walker resolution and it was passed.
7 A New Business Commissioner Gerrie, Resolution opposing the abusive farming practices of the confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages.
Comr. Gerrie, San Francisco was recently selected as the most humane city by the US Humane Society based on how we treat our companion animals. SF has not led in how we regard the animals we use for food. They are hidden from our daily lives. Battery caged chickens is an egregious example of animal abuse. This resolution brings to attention this practice that remains hidden. Resolution was para-phrased an is available in the agenda for the June meeting of ACW.
Comr. Routhier asked Comr. Gerrie if the resolution asks that the Board of Supervisors oppose the purchase of battery cage hen eggs and that any department within the City that buys eggs for any purpose only buy cage-free eggs. Comr. Gerrie replied in the affirmative.
Comr. Routhier also asked concerning an earlier meeting with Aron Peskin and Comr. Gerrie and Garcia. Supervisor Peskin had been supportive.
Public Comment:
Virginia Handley, Animal Switchboard, supportive and encouraged vendors contractors selling eggs to the City to buy cage-free. She also spoke of the inhumane caging of hens in Chinatown and wanted the ACW to do something about the food animals in the City. She wanted to know what enforcement of existing laws have been done by ACC.
Nora Kramer, supportive and emphasized growing support & trend nationally against battery caged hens.
Gail Camy, spoke of the specific conditions that battery-cage chickens suffer.
Anna Williams, spoke of the need to expedite the resolution and that battery cage hens treatment are in sharp contrast to the namesake of our City.
Richard Fong, spoke of a need to study the background of egg production in general in the US before passing it to the Supervisors.
June Wilson, spoke of possibly obtaining free parking in the City Hall garage for commissioners on the day of meeting.
Dr Ron Cole, spoke of his internet research that cited a study that battery cage hens show less stress hormone than cage free. He also cited that the names on egg cartons such as “cage free’’, ‘organic” etc. were misleading and rarely inspected.
Peter Brandt, cited several studies from the scientific community showing the cruelty and harm of confining chickens in such small cages. He said that there is no legal inpediment to adopting this resolution. That it is our moral obligation to see to the welfare of the voiceless and defenseless.
Commissioner Discussion,
Comr. Herndon, spoke of his own chickens and the nutritional value of his chickens’ eggs. He suggested that if the City were to buy cage-free eggs it would be healthier for those that consumed them.
Comr. Andrea Brooks asked what did it mean for the city to encourage buying cage free eggs. Comr. Christine Garcia responded that it would be by education of the conditions of these conditions.
Comr. Routhier spoke of the added part of the resolution that encourages the City itself to buy cage-free eggs, giving the resolution some teeth. Personalizing a relationship with a sponsoring Supervisor will impact on how this resolution is received by the Board.
Comr. Routhier made a motion to pass this resolution and policy.
Comr. Stephens expressed concern that SF passing this resolution would not have any impact on egg producers who are not in SF. Comr. Stephens wanted the ACWC to focus animals in SF.
Comr. Garcia responded that this resolution falls with in the gambit of this commission because the comsumption of these animal products is taking place in SF. It is making a statement concerning animal welfare and cruelty generally.
Comr. Garcia seconded the motion.
Voting,
All voted in a favor of the resolution opposing the factory farming practice of egg-laying hens in battery cages.
Comr. & Chair Garcia chose to postpone discussion on item 7B until next month.
7 C. Voting for Chair and Secretary.
Comr. Stephens nominated Laurie Routhier for Chair. Comr. Brooks seconded. All Comrs. voted in favor.
Comr. Garcia nominated Comr. Gerrie for Secretary. Comr Routhier seconded. All Comrs. voted in favor.
8. Public Comment.
Alicia spoke of her groups’ investigation into misconduct at ACC and her hope that ACWC would look into it in future meetings.
9. Calendar items.
Chair Routhier asked that all items be e-mailed to her by the Friday before the meeting.
10. Closing review.
Chair Routhier will work on the Dog Walker Permitting and offered to help Comr. Gerrie sending the Battery Cage Resolution to the Board.
11. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM