HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05191987 - 2.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on May 19, 1987 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Torlakson, Schroder
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor McPeak
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: A Proposal for Warning of Pit Bulls or Other
Dangerous Animals on the Premises
The Board on May 5, 1987, deferred to this day consideration
of the proposal of Supervisor Fanden that would require the owner
of a pit bull or other dangerous animal to post a sign advising of
a potential threat to the public ' s safety. The Board also
requested the Director of Animal Services to report on this issue.
In a report to the Board dated May 18, 1987, Diane Iwasa,
Director of Animal Services, advised of her Department' s support
for an amendment to the County Ordinance Code which would require
an owner/resident to post a sign, clearly and prominently,
notifying the public that an animal, found to be dangerous under
County Ordinance Code Section 416-12. 4 (Dangerous Animals) is on
the premises. In addition, Ms. Iwasa recommended an amendment to
the Ordinance Code which would authorize the Animal Services
Director, in investigating and granting a Dangerous Animal Permit,
to require insurance or other evidence of financial responsibility
on the part of an applicant. She suggested that this matter be
referred to County Counsel.
Paul D. Roose, President, National Association of Letter
Carriers, Greater East Bay Branch 1111, spoke in support of the
proposal for the posting of a sign and for requiring owners of
dangerous animals to post a bond with the municipality or county
showing financial responsibility for damages caused by their
animal. He commented on attacks by pit bulls on letter carriers.
Mr. Roose advised that his organization is urging all of its
members who get bitten or injured by a dog to sue the owners for
cost and damages.
David Beamer, 890 Lasson Street, Richmond, spoke of the
injuries he sustained as a result of an attack by a pit bull while
delivering mail. He expressed support for the proposed ordinance
amendments.
Board members considered the report of the Animal Services
Director and the testimony presented.
The Board adopted Resolution No. 87/312 as recommended by
Supervisor Fanden directing County Counsel to prepare an amendment
to the Ordinance Code requiring owners to post a sign that a pit
bull or other dangerous animal is on the premises.
Therefore, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that receipt of the
report of the Director of Animal Services is ACKNOWLEDGED and
REFERRED to County Counsel for report to the Board on June 2, 1987.
I horeby.certify that this I1 a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
cc: County Counsel Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
Animal Services Director
County Administrator ATTESTS®: -2� l4 /% PZ
PHIL. BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By — •�� G ,Deputy
'
IN �THE 8O�\DD J3F 'SUPERVISORS
()F
�
CONTRA CDS3C& COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
1n the Matter of Requesting CnouLy ) `
Cnunee] to Preyare on Amendment to )
the County Ordinance Code That WnuN Keam]uLjon No. : 87/3I2
Require au Uwner/Resi'|pnL to Have x
sign Posted Advising LhuL n PiL }ml1
or Other Dangerous Animal is on the `
Premises )
WHEREAS on April 22 , Richmond mail carrier David Beamer was
viciously mauled by e pit bull which rushed out of its owner ' s home ,
leaped on him, knocked him to the ground , inflicted serious bites and
1)m1CLure woqffiJn and Lhen aLLoukeJ Mc . Beamer again while paramedics `
were attempting to aid him ; and
NU[RE'AS the PnnLpl Service had to curtail mai1 de-livery to
the four adjoining neighbors of Lhe house From which dle pit bull
attacked Mr. Beamer , resulting in great inconvenience to inuoceoL
people; and
WHEREAS THE Postal Service has recorded RO dog bites to its �
mail carriers this year in the 10-county area serviced by the
Oakland Division and an many injured trying to escape biting dogs ; and
WUERKAS dogs bred for [ighLi og are becoming iucreas[x ;1y
popular ; and '
WHEREAS the most recent dog fighting arrests were made in
Hest County last year and such fights often involve drugs , gambling
and racketeering ; and
WHEREAS dog fighting is a misdemeanor offense in California,
e felony in 13 other states and Senator Roberti has introduced
S8 1623 to make dog fighting a felony in California ; and
WHEREAS the Board recognizes that although most pit bull
owners are conscientious , a few aren ' t and a public danger is
created ; and
W11DR0\S the next person to be killed , maimed or injured by a
vicious pit bull could he the UPS delivery person , a Qiz | Scout
selling cookies or a volunteer collecting for Lhe March of Dimes ; and
WUCK|'AS the pob| ic has the right to |/e forewarned of the
yceeeoce n� a puLenLiu | ly 1oLbuL dog or aoimu1 .
NUW ][UE'BEFUKD 8E | '|' RU'SU|.VB) that Lho 8nurd of Supervisors of
the County of CuuLrn Costa CnunLy , California , directs County Counsel
to prepare on amendment to the CounLy Ordinance Code theL would
require an owner/resident to hone o sign c | eor] y and prmxioenL | y
posted advising that a pit bull or other doogeroun n0ma i is m/ the
premises .
HEI i1' FURIUDR OES0[V%U 71AT tile Board affirms its support for
safe animals as pets , buL thxt -its wnrmth towards nnimn|s C()0|.S
when it comes to pit }x/ | is on'| v } ci non mnimu) n \/rn,| for [ iN/ii op,.
PASSED AND Nx)Y'[k|) on May l9 , 1.987 , by uuunimuua vuLu uL Lhe
of the Board members present .
I hereby certify that the foregoing is e true and correct
copy of a resolution entered in the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date aforesaid .
Witness my hand and the seal of the
'
Board of Supervisors affixed this
19th day of May , 1987 .
Attested : Phil Batchelor , Clerk
of the Board of Supervisors
and County Administrator.
R Deputy Clerk
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, . - �
Supervisor Nancy C. Fabden
District II
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