UPDATE: Dallas City Council Briefing on Proposed Animal Ordinance

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Thanks very much to all from the D/FW AR community who called to support the important proposed Dallas animal ordinances. See current status (below). More info will be published as it becomes available. MargaretVegetarian Network of Dallaswww.VegNod.comElaine Munch <elainemunch wrote:We wanted to give you an update on the Dallas City Council Briefing today which included information about the new proposed city ordinances. First "thank you" to everyone who wrote, phoned or faxed to the council and mayor. It was definitely what we needed to keep this

initiative on track. We cannot thank the animal rescue community in Dallas and the surrounding area enough for all your support. I knew we could count on you, and I am proud to know you all. But remember it's not over yet. Overall the session went very well. Several Council members spoke about the need to address the issues of stray dogs, no personnel available on Sundays or evenings, and lack of filling open positions with the animal services department. Dr. Elba Garcia was eloquent in citing so many issues that need attention for DAS. She especially noted the supervisor's position that has been open for three years and cannot be filled because it is not posted on the city's online job site. She stressed the point of filling all open positions and other key issues. Council Member Dwaine Caraway noted that Tennell Atkins, District 8 and his own District 4, were numbers one and two

respectively in most calls received from 311 on animal issues. He added "Believe me, that's not something for either of us to be proud of!" Dave Neumann noted that his district makes more than 300 calls per month from 311, and he said it would be a big mistake to not have good ordinances that would help the new shelter work better. Ron Natinsky supported Dr. Garcia's comments and was very supportive.Pauline Medrano said she felt the proposed ordinances were "fair, firm and comprehensive." Linda Koop requested an update soon on all the open positions in DAS and Code Compliance. Mayor Tom Leppert stressed that staff and city attorneys have a "sense of urgency" in bringing the entire proposal for Code revisions and the animal ordinances forward for a vote within 30 to 45 days if not sooner. He added that he wanted to know the staff's strategy regarding animal services overall.

Almost all council members stressed being aggressive in getting the ordinances ready ASAP/with a sense of urgency. Mitchell Rasansky recognized the great work of Skip Trimble, Chair of the Animal Shelter Commission, in crafting an outstanding summary and detail of the proposed ordinances. He said it was the best prepared package he had seen at all his years on the council. He also thanked Andy Allen, former DAS Commission chair, Rebecca Poling, current Commission member for Linda Koop, Belynda Ortiz, current Commission member for Angela Hunt and Elaine Munch, former Commission member for Rasansky. I would also like to thank Nancy Underwood and Liana Kotcher of PAWS in the City, and Shelby Bobosky with the Dallas Area Young Lawyers association. These three spoke at the regular council meeting this morning in support of the ordinances. They were received very well with no council members showing

any opposition to these proposed ordinances. Again, thank you to everyone for everything you have done thus far. We can all be proud we've gotten this far. We will keep you closely informed on all future progress. Thank you for all you do for the creatures we care so much about, Elaine Munch, President Metroplex Animal Coalition

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