Animal Advisory Committee-Minutes
December 2, 2010
Attending: Martin Haspel, Eric Stone, Joanne Baldauf, Diana Back
Chairman Eric Stone called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
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Minutes of the September 2, 2010, meeting were approved.
Old Business:
Discussion of continuing Dyer Prence vandalism was noted by the Animal Control Officer.
Martin Haspel then informed the committee that the problem of ON/OFF lead at Dyer Prence Beach was still an issue.
As part of the discussion, he introduced a response from Professor Nicholas Dodman (Director of Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts) concerning the issue.
It is my position, stated in the first chapter of my book, The Well-Adjusted Dog, that dogs need to run off lead to satisfy inner biological needs. Walking on lead with an owner is just not good enough. Aerobic (cardiovascular, oxygen burning) exercise is necessary for both its psychological and physical health benefits.
It was agreed unanimously that under appropriate conditions (voice control)in the summer season (June 15 - Labor Day) dogs should have the opportunity to have off-lead exercise at the Rock Harbor/ Dyer Prence area during designated hours. The committee chair was to inform the selectmen of this discussion. The ACO concurred with the need for dogs to be off lead for psychological and physical development and would issue a warning if the animal is not under control. It was suggested that volunteers from the EDOA be utilized before 9am and after 4pm to inform beach users of the conditions of use. Possibly the recreation t-shirts with "volunteer" instead of "staff'' on the back would be appropriate to identify the volunteers.
Marty Haspel informed the committee that the National Seashore had reported seals on
the J bar at North Truro were being harassed. A National Park Service volunteer did public education at High Head and people stayed away from the seals. Without the volunteer present, people ignored the signage. Educational information is key to compliance.
New Business:
The current barking dog regulation: "15 minutes or plainly audible" was thought to be in need of clarification by substituting AND for OR. It was suggested that the committee review the animal control regulations in conjunction with the ACO’s input for the January 6, 2011 meeting.
The Chair noted that an article for the Town Meeting needs to be submitted in mid-February.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Baldauf
Clerk pro-term
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