WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 01/12/2018WICHITA FALLS -WICHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
Jai wary 12, 2018
W*Ichits Falia-Wichita County Pubii% Health Diatfirt
1700 Third Street - Parker Cunfereiiue Ruom
Wichita Falls, Texas
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
David Carlsten, Ph.D., Chair
Julie Gibson, D.V.M., Vice -Chair
Robin Moreno, iviRm-Ram, /ACME, secretary
Melissa Plawman
Larry Rains, D.D.S.
Keith Williamson, M.D.
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENCE:
None
BOARD MEMBER VACANCY:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Rou Rreieler, R.19., R.z.A.
vvoonrow vv. Gossom, or.
mric vvest
Citizen At-Larae-County
Veterinarian -City
Citizen mt-Large-City
Restaurant Aasociation-City
DentiSt-County
Pflysician-City
Registered Narze-City
Director or RealtR
vvicRita County auage
City Council Liaison
I. MEMBER RE -APPOINTMENTS AND NEW MEMBERS
Re -appointments and new member appointment was conducted by Janice Floras, Notary in order to attain a
gaoram of members to call the meeting to order.
Re -Appointments
Jalle Gibson, D.V_M. as the City appointed Practicing Veterinarian
Robin Moreno, MHA -HAS: ACHE as the City appointed Citi4en At -Large
Z Larry Rains, D.D.S. as the County appointed Practicing Dentist
AppFibstr,►ent
D Melissa Plowman as the City appointed Texas Restaurant Association
Kathleen Williamson was unable Lou be in attendance for appvifttment into the City appointed Registered Nurse
vacancy. The appointment would be contluctea at file next meeting in March.
II. EEE% i tt)IQ OF OFFtCERa
Dr. Julie Gibson introduced a motion to nominate Dr. David Carlstcn au Chair and Rabin Merene seconded the
mutiun. The moti-wn passed cnanim%-juuly.
Dr. Julie Gibson introduced a motion as a numin-IX for Vice -Chair and Dr. David Carl3toin 5vcundud the motion.
The motion paused unanimously_
Dr. Keith Williamson introduced a motion to nominate Robin Moreno as Secretary and Dr, Julie Gibson seconded
the motion. The motion paused unanimously.
III. CALL TO ORDER
ur. Davit] Carlsson callea tRe RealtR 6oartl meeting to ortler at ic: to pm aver a quorum or members was
auainetl.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ABSENCES
Dr. David Carlsto„ called for the review and approval of minutes from the meeting held on Friday November 10,
2017. Dr. Julic Gibson introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Robin Moreno seconded
the motion. The motion passed ananlmoasly.
V. ACCREDITATION UPDATE
Cou nreither announces tMe Big Rea Button was flit uecemGer /-atM to uploac all ine Documents for the
Hccraditation sudmission. PatricR Mitchell tMe Accreditation specialist uploaQea over -1,000 documents to meet
all the accreditation stanaaras and measures. i ne starr workea Mara for each of the domains was an
accreditation team it was a lengthy process. i Fie Hccreakation liaison Mas 30 Days to review tMe 5u5mitted
documents any that Do not ,it the measure are RicRed iaacR with 30 says to resul5mit Documentation then anotMer
30 days for the liaison review OF the resubmission. H site team sMoula Ge assignee within 'o to 5 montns.
The Public Health Accreditation Board is a National Accreditation in the state of , exas no medium sizes Re3rtM
Departments have been accredited it comes only with glory no atlaidonal funning. E Me State talRed on funning
and points assigned to Health Departments that are accredited. Now it is a voluntary accreditation the State of
Virginia made it mandatory but the State of Texas is not working on accreditation. Texas DSHS leadership does
not embrace accreditation some of the grants restrict the use of funds since it is thought of as not worthy. It will
take lots of local health depart,,,ants to become accredited to put the pressure on the State for accreditation.
VI. ANIMAL SERVICES
Ratrena F1amQerger the Hnimal services ADministrator commences, the presentation on the sMelter that was
openetl seven years ago .,anuary ana atlout a year ago completion of the Adoption vving with -16 additional
Rennels.
Staff consists of tMe Hnimal services Administrator that supervises two senior Haministradve CierRs, a Front
DesR Clerit, Hnimal Control Supervisor, Hnimal Care Coordinator ant] Adoption Counselor. i Me Hnimal Control
Supervisor manages seven Hnimal Control vmcers ana the Hnimal Control VispatcMer. i Me Hnimal Care
Coordinator manages roar Fall 1 ime Kennel Httenaants and two Part 1 ime rrennel Raendants.
Customer Service is an interaction all Qay the two Senior Haministrative C,erlts Mantile with a smile to provide:
= IntaRe or animals from citizens
- Help reunite pets with owners
- Cross check lost and food ads
• Sell City licenses
• Answer tMa pnone
- Explain adoption and reclaim procedures
- Answer City ordinance questions and reasons for a notice left
The Animal Control Officer are no longer just dog catchers the field has become a career that provides:
• Pick up of strays and wildlife
• vveltara cM8CK5 on citizen concerns
- Permits
- Trap rentals
• Pick up dead animals
= Euthanasia
- Court Hearings
- S-Vizures
• Education
1 raining
- Assist other local agencie3
- Rabies "R" Control
In 2017 Animal Services had 3,475 dogs and cats brought in either by ACOS, owners or citizens about 500 less
than last year. The average monthly intake is down from 350 to 290 monthly.
Animals impounded are held for a certain amount of time:
• Strays with no collarimicrochiprunItnown owner For 3 Days
Owned with collar/microchip,/knLwn vrrncr fvr 5 dors
All dogs & cats are scanned for a microchip at least 3 times du, Ing their stay. ACOS scan all in the field.
2
or. Carlston asked what if a person is -.nt of town Icngzr than thV- 5 days.
Katrena Mitchell answered that hopefully the animal ha.. 3%mW- type of idzntificatiun to contact the owner so that
possibly a relati -;e or friena can pick up the animal if another day is needed we work with them.
fou mrei0ier Baia that is wily it is so important to have your animal licensed in the City limits or even a microchip
Decause we will Have contact information.
Eric vvest asRea Row much Goes ii cost to microchip an animal.
Katrena Mlitcriell responae0 $ 15 at Me Animal sflelter ween a City license is purcrMasea at the same time men
the chip is 0iscounte0 to $ iu. City license for a spaymeutere0 animal is $v far i -year ane $-izi for 3 -years with
a 3 -year rallies vaccination. A noticeable pro0lem is tflat owners ten0 not to up0ate their information wnicrl
mages it Vara to iocate owners will an out0atea a0aress an01or prlone number.
It is Texas Mere are wily life in file community; opossums, sRunRs, raccoons, Loxes, coyotes, aeer, arma0illas
birds, snaltes, raahits, squirrels, heavers, porcupines, turtles, Hogs, prairie dogs, Dobcats, lizaras an0 file
occasional monRey.
Loa Kreidler said that was attribute0 to tAe 0rought because tMe water sources outsiBe of town were 0epleten
lits of wil0 iife was driven in looRing for water.
Katrena Mitchell encourages people to not have food or water available for the wild life looRing for resources.
Make a loud noise they will run off to seek shelter of a less risk to them.
Dr. Rains asked where was the occasional monkey.
Katrena Mitchell replied not inside the City limits the monkey was picked up for quarantine. A man out in the
county had a couple of pet monkeys he took one to the McDonalds drive through as the McDonalds worker
handed out the fries the monkey chomped the worker. Wild life is not allowed inside the City limits the County
was working on a wild life ordinance. The ER used to have a lady come in with her service animal which was a
monkey that is not recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)and you cannot have a monkey imide
the City limits.
Dr. Gibson added that monkeys as pets are expensive now 14 to 15 years ago lots of people had monkeys.
Dr. Williamson said monkeys are defined as a wild animal so therefore cannot be in the City limits.
Lou Kraidl-cr affirmed monkeys are defined as an exotic animal and not allowed inside the City limits.
Dr. Williamson acknowledged interesting to know because Midwestern gets all sorts of requests for comfort
animals whi4h accurding to the haasing administration Midwestern must accommodate. There had not been
anything beyond eats and dugs but some campuses have had service chickens and snakes.
Katrena Mitchell asserted that is a whole different Pandora's box because the animals everyone claims as an
emotional support or comfort animal do not have the same rights and responsibilities as a true service animal.
The federal and state government have some gaidaline but not many laws there are a lot of loop holes because
nobody wants to keep an individual that rally needs a service animal from having one.
Dr. Williamson questioned does that supersede the definition of exotic animal not allowavle it is conflicting.
Katrena Mitchell sated the ADA only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals. i Me miniature
horses are used as seeing eye horses. The comforVemotional support animals only have trle rights to go on
planes.
Fun FaUL: Texas rias the most privately owne0 big cats per capital in t Me unitea States.
Pot Deily pigs can Be insi0e Me City limits will a permit re5tricte0 to un0er 90 poun0s most grow over 90 poun0s.
A major percentage of Me seizure warrants are to seize animals that people leave behind when they move. A
lot more cruelty cases are Being worRed. Animal Control Officers obtain seizure warrants and seize animals for
a variety or reasons; abandonments, cruelty, unsanitayy conditions, prohibited have te- many animals.
3
Gr. Rains questioned what are the owner's response, hcw can they do that to their animals
natrena PlitcReli responded it is their property a lot of times they do not know any better, do not think about it,
Co not seemed concerned, tRe dog Ras been fed maybe 10 pieces cf dug t—wd evcrp couple of weeks. Their
t1linRing areas and tRe way tRey looR at their world differs in how we think about car ,wn pets and how we treat
an animal unfartunamiy.
Seen a lot oT people Mat noara animals, inside tyle Rouse feces is ever here and dead animals are cuvurd
witR newspapers or coucR cushions it is a mental RealtR issue. Many animal hoarders typically have other marital
Realm Issaes stemming prom some trauma in tReir life. it taRes tRe wRole community other agencies are
contacted to provide assistant sucR as tRe Aoalt and CMh0 Protective Services along with Code Enforcement
anti Fire IftlarsRalls most of the Rouses are a Tire Razara. Animal Roaraing eventually ;.ill be recognized as a
mental RealtR diagnosis.
ACO's handle a got of permits: RivestocR, Fowl, oat Colony, vicious, Pet Fanciers, Perrorming AnimalsiCircus,
Potbellied Pigs, Stads/Bree0erraitter, Rennes, GroomingrPet zRopraoaraing. Mvestoclt kRomes, cattle, sReep,
goats) can be inside the City Limits with a permit. i Re pet limit inside tyle City Limits witriout getting a special
permit are 4 dogs and/or cats. CnicRens in the dacryara for fresR eggs need a permit it is unallowaGle to Rave
a roster, guineas, peacocks since trley mage a lot of noise.
The Animal Control Dispatch line is g-r'u-r'o -r oz4 answered Monday to Friday a am to a pm witR an average oT
100+ calls per day. The line provides information to reacR the on-call r,nimal Control OuRcer tAi.V) aster Rours
and weekends for emergencies. The dispatcher maintains rauio contact witR HCO's in tRe dela, scReouie
permits, answers citizen questions and provides reminders to mCO's on fouow-ups ano cReoR dacRs.
ACO's pick up dead animals hit/killed on the street, Vet clinics and citizen animals that the at Rome. Citizens
bring in their animals to euthanize. TxDot pick up the dead animals on State Highways.
ACO's write citations for all the City Animal Contrul ordinances the tickets can go up w $r+2a.00 far an orvinance
when a citizen duns not pay the citation it becomes a warrant with a trip to jail. Recently a citizen was in jail for
4 different warrants for animals not having a rabies vaccination and City license her offenses were minor
compared to others in jail. People are encouraged to take care of business plenty of opportunity is given asuaily
10 days on the first interaction.
The Animal Services C�ntar (ASC) provides community education on: Bite Prevention, Snakes, Spay/Neuter,
Ruoponsible Ownership, Wildlife/Rabies, Trap Program, Local Ordinances, Services. Outreach is provided tu:
Citizens daily, Shelter Tours, Boy/Girl Scouts, Campfire, Project Back to School, Career Days, Health Fairs,
Citizcri's Police Academy, Police Dispatch Academy, Postal Carriers, UPS.
Anirmail Control is a career it involves a lot of training and expertise of each Animal Control Officer. All ACO's
arc Basic ACO Certified by the State of Texas DSHS (TX DSHS) that most receive 30 hours of CE training every
3 years to maintain certification. Euthanasia requires TX DSHS certification every a years. Site sticIrPepper
Spray training for use on animals only. Three ASC staff are Texas Certified Cruelty Investigators Mat involves
approximately 45 hums of training with renewal every 3 years. The Cruelty Investigators certification Relpet witn
the last court case as an expert witness that gave extra credibility on the stand.
Rabies is fatal it is a State law for dogs, cats and ferrets. Bite5lscrac0es that break Me sRin must de reported
to Animal Control. Dogs, cats and ferrets are to be quarantined for 2z+'u hours from tRe time of Me Biterscratcrl.
Some may qualify for home quarantine but most are gaaramined at tRe t-mimal SRelter or at tReir vet Clinic if
allowable at the clinic.
City Licenses - City Ordinance - Chapter 14 - Animals
Articl-C11. - Dog and Cat Vaccination and Licensing
Division 2. - Dag or Cat License
Sec. 14-71. - License required. No person shall own, possess or RarVor a oag or cat -15 weelts of age or over
without obtaining a Iiuenbe for eacR animal.
City liuenbe tags are red i exas sllapet mat tliuem Trom tyle Rallies vaccination tags. Some local Vet clirJa.a
do sell the City tags to acquire at tRe time aT your pets Rallies vaccination to save a trip to the shelter Animal
Services picRs up Me inrarmation Tram the vet. city license runs concurrent with the Rabies vaccination.
Re euthanasia rate is about 50% tRat Ras dropped a co-.pl. % frzrri the last year. It is a State law that only
4
starer wRo are certified perform acthanasia. It is the least fav-,rite part of the job but necessary getting almost
alit) animals a month with limited space.
vve worn a lot wirM airrerent agencies for the wz�lfarc c;f the animals in the community: DPS, Wichita County
5nerim vvFPu, Game vvarden, WFFD, Wild Bird R- cue and other City Departments.
Hsoptions iRat starlet] in zsizi are at 1,446 adoptions. A Pets for Vets program waives the adoption fee for
vets But iRe responsiBility remains Tor meeting all the other criteria plus to spay/neuter at a Vet clinic. The
Earn Cat program for feral cats picRea up can be adopted at no fee but provide the spaylneuter. Three
adoption events are Rela at iRe shelter inrougRoui tRe year two of those are with local rescue partners. An
animal asoptea from iRe rescue group enaBles rRe group to take a Shelter animal to fill that open apct.
Re ,tennei start consists or zi full time ant] z parkime auenaanrs that handle: disease prevention, animal
interaction, vaccinate, reunite animals witR owners, aaopiions, 111; ror cruelty cases, animal care the
grooming, Raining, etc., assistance to HCWs. i Re Rennel attenaanrs ;;-i priority is to maintain a Realthy shelter
environment the products uses are bleacR, rrovei logic, Fiear i icR prevention ana medicaied sRampoo. iRe
kennels are cleaned daily ana sisiniectes Between animals. If an animal shows signs or illness iMe Rennel is
cleaned and disinfected z-a times Before a new animal occupies that space. All dogs rransrerrea to adoptions
are bathed to prevent Urals contamination. reraltsiclt cats are Rouses in Cat Isolation. EacR animal area
has designated t0015/equipment for that area only. stray animals can always pose a risR of contaminating rRe
shelter environment with common caninerteline alseases: reline leuRemia, Fiv ifeline immanoaenciency
viral), parvo, distemper, kennel uougR, ringworm, rallies, scabies, mange. i ne Rennei start is more than a
cleaning crew every daily goal is to maRe tRe furry friends Rappy, Realtlly ana stress Tree. Even if it ends up
to euthanize the animal the objective is to maRe an animals stay as comtorlaple as possible. , ne A5C
employees may be the only people to have shown tRem rove ana compassion. in order to ao tRat iRe -following
is done: assess their demeanor, build trust, feedrwater Based on eacn animal Reatn ana dietary needs,
grooming, comforting injured and elderly, assisting with laboring females, Gaily exercise ana interaction.
Although the primary duties are the care of the animals it is also her for the citizens as well to comfort tRdse
with the hard decision to euthaniza their pet or those searching fur their lost.
Outreach 2018 are for: Apartment complexes, Realtor companies, Weluome Wagon, omPo new personnel.
Explain and �ducata the City ordinances, requirements of City license, rabies vaccination ana picR up atter your
animal. Adoptable outings: Airport, Library, Animal friendly businesses, additional media coverage, Facebuok
,met -Vf the week and Furever Friday.
Harder work is ahead. The ordinance has not been updated in at least 7-years changes and updates are neeaeu
to become current to better accommodate the Officers job to assist with the welfare 01 iRe animals in iRe
community. New training protocols have been put into place for the kennel staff ana t-ZU's. i ne Rennel staff
have new designated manaals and check off list to assure all staff have been trained the same way ana Rnows
what needs to be done. The ACO's get 2 weeks of classroom training with a manual tRen c weeks of flus training
riding with an experienced ACO.
Lou Kraidler commented in additiun at the end of the in house training a test is given tflat must be passed to
advance to the field training and be released from the orientation training process.
Katrana Hamberger expressed at the end of the day ... Animal Service employees are...
one team fighting for the animals in the community
lean on each ether and work together in extreme circumstances
the voice that speaks up for those that have no voice
warrwrs fur the homeless
Dr. Gibson asked with P.E.T.S. being around for a while now witR the spayrneuter campaign you woula ininit
there would be a greater decrease in the population so wRy Ras tRat not Been seen.
Katrina Hamberger replied there is a large papulation tRat uo not want to spayrneurer Because or profit from the
sale of the animals. Several large puppy miils are in iRe surrounding counties ana a Ritten mill in Wichita County.
Those animals have not come into the shelter But Rave receives calls ana complaints from across the county
that the animals being sula are sicR.
LOU Kreialer states H5C also Ras started when a dog has been piLked a,, for the first time the raclaim fee is
waives if the owner will spayrneuter the animal with the s-wccrid pick up it is mandatory the animal cannot be
picRea up unless spayrneuter. Several years ago an -Wrdinan= was tried that luvery animal in town had to be
5
spaylneULer unless you had a breding permit but it would did not pass. It Mad not been reviewea again as
Katrena will review as she works on an ordinance revision.
Katrena Hambarger said people out in the surrounding communities are not moving as forward as Animal
Serviczs there ara a Iut of puppies and kittens being born everywhere.
Lou Kreidler said those people are not in Wichita Falls city limits but on the city trading post and craiglisL,
available for people in the area.
Katrena Hamberger expressed why should they crime pay an adoption fee when they can get a free puppy or
kitten. Animal Service is appreciative of thus that do chuzma to adopt.
Dr. Gibson asked for someone that has an animal crintru-1 issue that lives outside the city limits is it directed to
the sheriffs department.
Katrena Hamberger answered the sheriff is the animal 4untrul for the county they do call Animal Service when
needed to pick up animals. Burkb►,rnett, Iowa Park and Electra each have their own Animal Control.
Dr. Carlston thanked Katrena for the presentation and the work being done.
VII. NEXT MEETING DATE
Friday Mart h 9, 2018 was noted as the next meeting date.
VIII. ADJOURN
Dr. wavia Carlsion aajourne0 tRe meeting at i:0a pm.
4 q
P,;.,t Na ... e
u-n'd Gan,.ro.., Fn. u.. Cn..,., JwT ., G;A-,a,., u. v M., V,cc-r nay,, v. Hol).,, Mo....... MHA -NRS, ACHE, Sac,.W
mcnila ralrs-vvlcnira Bounty rUorlc Reamn moan?
City -County Board