Title
A RESOLUTION MODIFYING CHAPTER 5 OF THE SEDGWICK COUNTY CODE PERTAINING TO ANIMALS AND ESTABLISHING THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD.
Presented by: Ron Holt, Assistant County Manager.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and sign the resolution.
Body
The resolution contains changes to Chapter 5 of the Sedgwick County Code pertaining to animals. Effective January 1, 2014, Animal Control transitioned from the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department to the Sedgwick County Health Department. As a result, a number of the changes contained within the resolution are meant to reflect this transition.
The resolution would also dissolve the Animal Care Advisory Board and establish the Animal Control Advisory Board in its place. The Animal Control Advisory Board would have different duties and membership requirements than the existing Animal Care Advisory Board. The resolution also includes a revised dangerous animal hearings procedure under which the chair of the Animal Control Advisory Board (or his/her appointed designee) would hear any dangerous animal matters in which the owner had requested an administrative review hearing from a determination by the director of Animal Control that the animal is dangerous.
Lastly, the resolution contains additional changes that are meant to update portions of the County Code. Examples of this include the expansion of the prohibition on dog fighting to all animals and an enhancement as to the class of violation for such offenses.
Alternatives: The Board of County Commissioners could elect not to adopt the resolution, adopt it in part, or seek to adopt an otherwise modified resolution.
Financial Considerations: No financial impact is anticipated as a result of the modifications outlined in this item.
Legal Considerations: The County has the authority to approve this resolution pursuant to its Home Rule powers contained within K.S.A. 19-101 et seq. Approval is by simple majority vote.
Policy Cons...
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