Gjr1997-1998 Final Report*

The office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors may be understaffed.

On occasion, there has been too lengthy a delay between board minutes and the actual publication of the minutes.

Enforcement of Animal Control, law and citations Rabies control

All walkways should be repaired as funds become available.

Equipment and shelter maintenance

Facility renovations

License fees, adoption fees and penalty fees PROCEDURE: All interviews, tours and documents were obtained by no less than two members of the Grand Jury pursuant to Penal Code § 916. The members of the Grand Jury interviewed the Director of Environmental Health, the Animal Control Supervisor and the supporting staff. The committee members toured the facility on two scheduled visits, one unannounced visit, and a ride-along. DISCUSSION: The 1997-98 Grand Jury called the Director twice in late December of 1997, and once in early January of 1998. It took an unannounced visit to the Director to personally request the needed information. It took another three weeks to arrange an interview with the Director and the ride-along. The Grand Jury investigation revealed a lack of support from the Municipal Court System, in connection with citations issued by Animal Control. Animal Control staff advised that citations issued are often dismissed by the Municipal Court. Appropriate sanctions are not taken against citizens violating Animal Control Laws. The Yuba County Animal Control has a full-time staff of seven employees and one part-time maintenance worker authorized for 19 hours per week. The staff consists of one supervisor who handles rabies cases, animal euthanasia and assists office staff. The four Animal Control Officers handle service calls, animal euthanasia and provide office support. There are two office specialists, one of which is an Animal Control Officer who assists with rabies cases and the other is a full-time office worker. Animal Control services 640 square miles of Yuba County. The agency does not cover Beale Air Force Base or the City of Wheatland. Animal Control will respond to Wheatland upon request from Law Enforcement. The Environmental Health Director was very informative and pleasant. He displayed genuine interest and commitment to the Animal Control Department and was very supportive of the staff. The Grand Jury noted several safety hazards at the facility which include: walkways with broken edges, open drains and inadequate storage for a variety of purposes. The staff advised that the Board of Supervisors is aware of these problems. Structures have been added to the facility by self help projects. Donations from the public and other service organizations have been accepted to help modify the facility and make it more functional. There is an on-going problem with break-ins at the facility. No funds have been made available to adequately secure the perimeter of the facility. The officers stated the facility is now ten years behind in upgrades and animal care technology, and is in a state of disrepair. Yuba County Airport donated 41 acres for use by Animal Control, however, only one acre is utilized. Officers stated there should be double enclosures in the shelter. This will reduce the livestock that get out and reduce animal theft. Animal Control has ten regular kennels, eight quarantine kennels in the center section and six quarantine kennels in the back. The kennels are cleaned and disinfected with each new animal. They are also cleaned one to three times daily while occupied. The Animal Control Officer advised all kennels and cat cages were often overcrowded. The floor in the room with the cat cages has three levels of concrete with an open trench. This creates a safety hazard to the general public. The current Animal Control Policies and Procedure handbook states that "an ACO/Supervisor must remain at the shelter during public hours for the Lone Female Office Specialist." A license fee for an unaltered dog is $24.00 per year. Spayed or neutered dogs are $4.00 per year. County ordinance allows five (5) dogs per residence. Animal Control is licensed to give two types of shots: vaccines and euthanasia. In the months of January and February rabies clinics are held. Euthanasia duty is done on a rotational basis. There is inadequate storage space for the carcasses. These carcasses are stored in the freezer with rabies specimens and animal food stuffs. Precautions are taken to keep all Bio-Hazardous material separated. County haulers and local ranchers have verbal agreements with Animal Control to evacuate animals during an emergency. During the flood of 1997, animals were sent to Placer County Fair Grounds and Feather River Veterinary in Linda. Feather River Wildlife and Care deals with all fowl in the area except the Ellis Lake area, which is handled by the City of Marysville Public Works and Parks Department. Snakes and wildlife are the Department of Fish and Game's responsibility. Animals considered exotic are not handled by Animal Control unless circumstances make it necessary or their service is requested by law enforcement. The disposal of dead wildlife is the responsibility of California Highway Patrol and/or Department of Fish and Game. Domestic animals will be removed by Animal Control, however, carcasses on private property are the property owner's responsibility. Animal Control employees are allowed to take county trucks home at night. A daily log sheet of all activities are recorded and maintained. Mileage is done on a monthly basis. The vehicles gas cards are on a card lock system and stay with the vehicle, and are logged. ANIMAL CONTROL RIDE-ALONG On February 4, 1998, two members of the Grand Jury were permitted to take part in a ride-along program. The Animal Control Supervisor stressed the importance for the public to call the Animal Control Office; not the Sheriff or the Board of Supervisors. The supervisor states when people call other offices, it only delays the appropriate action and response time. All Animal Control vehicles are equipped with two way radios. The radio frequencies are separate from law enforcement. During the ride along the officer responded to a variety of calls including: dogs running lose in a school yard, a complaint alleging a dog attacking a cat, and an animal carcass. The officer expressed concern that many residents of Yuba County are not taking responsibility for their pets. The community is not taking the reproduction rate of their domesticated animals responsibly, which makes the cost of euthanizing an expensive procedure. The Animal Control Officer showed the euthanasia file and explained the office procedure and process of daily tolls. On the day of the Grand Jury ride-along thirty (30) dogs were euthanised. On another day 147 animals had been destroyed. It was conveyed by personnel that the euthanizing procedure is stressful. Yuba County offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) administrated by the Risk Management Department. FINDINGS: All findings have been substantiated by current documented and by observation and interviews by no less than two members of the Grand Jury pursuant to Penal Code § 916.

The facility needs to be brought up to date and current with animal technology.

Euthanizing can be stressful.

The Animal Control staff appears professional and dedicated to the difficult tasks at hand.