Salem health board eyes control of animal permits
SALEM — The board of health discussed taking over animal permitting in its March meeting.
The board of health previously decided that it did not feel the department had the necessary resources to take on administration of a permitting and inspection process required to keep “all other animals not universally recognized as a pet or companion animal” within the city as outlined in proposed updates to the city’s animal ordinance. Speaking with City Councilwoman Sara Baer, who serves as a member of the rules and ordinances committee, the board echoed many of their prior concerns including a lack of clarity regarding enforcement procedures and explicit standards of care to be referenced during inspections, and with the sustainability of creating and funding a position to carry out inspections and enforcement.
Baer suggested that the ordinance language could be altered to permit specifically 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) projects, which had served as the initial spark for updates to the ordinance, rather than a blanket process for domesticated non-companion animals. Baer also said that the intention would be for inspection and permitting fees to fund the costs of such a position.
While the board was more amenable to a version of the ordinance limited to 4-H projects, Health Commissioners Kayla Crowl noted that such a change could present an enforcement issue in verifying an applicant’s 4-H status.
“Are they still in 4-H? Did they stop doing 4-H? What if there’s an ostrich in 4-H,” asked Crowl.
Baer said that the types and number of projects could be restricted, and that other communities that have successfully implemented similar legislation have required a registered 4-H supervisor sign off on the project, and that there has been a coordinator in Salem for the last 17 years who could provide a list of acceptable projects.
The board also expressed concerns that approving an updated version of the ordinance, which places the responsibility for importance with the health department before inspection, enforcement, and
remediation policies are clarified would cause issues with implementing the program.
It was ultimately decided that Baer would bring the board’s concerns back to city council to potentially pare back the scope of the ordinance to a level which permits the types of 4-H projects which initially prompted revision discussions while being more manageable for the department.
The board of health will meet next at 2 p.m. April 16.