Agenda

Return

C. 9

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Beth Ward, Animal Services Director
Date:	May 1, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ADOPT Ordinance No. 2018-13 to require the humane treatment of roosters

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/01/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Steve Burdo, 925-608-8470

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 1, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Ordinance No. 2018-13 to require the humane treatment of roosters.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no anticipated impact to the County General Fund. The enforcement activities proposed by the ordinance would be funded by administrative fines and other revenues.

BACKGROUND:

On December 6, 2016, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) development of an ordinance to authorize administrative penalties for barking dogs and other noisy animals, and to limit the number of roosters on private property in the County's unincorporated areas. After receiving feedback from Contra Costa County residents, the Animal Services Department (ASD) also determined that the County lacks regulations enabling ASD to effectively combat illegal rooster fighting activities.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In April 2017, after reviewing a draft ordinance, the IOC chose to recommend to the Board for adoption an ordinance only addressing barking dogs and other noisy animal concerns. The IOC directed ASD staff to work with the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) to incorporate the provisions addressing the keeping of roosters into the urban farm animal ordinance. The noisy animal ordinance was subsequently adopted by the Board on June 6, 2017.

ASD staff has continued to partner and work with DCD to prepare and present Ordinance No. 2018-13. This ordinance would amend the County Ordinance Code by adding Article 416-12.10 to regulate the keeping of roosters in unincorporated areas of the County by prohibiting the tethering of roosters and including other specific requirements to ensure rooster health, safety, and well-being. In addition, the proposed ordinance would authorize the Animal Services Director to enforce the rooster keeping regulations.

A separate urban farm animal ordinance amending Title 8 of the County Ordinance Code has been prepared by DCD and includes provisions limiting the number of roosters that may be kept on a lot. The Board will consider adopting the urban farm animal ordinance after a public hearing on May 1, 2018. Staff recommends that the Board adopt Ordinance No. 2018-13.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: