PORT ANGELES — A proposal to uncouple the proof of rabies vaccination requirement for getting a pet license returns to the Clallam County commissioners today.
The board will accept public comment in a 10:30 a.m. hearing at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Today’s hearing doubles as a call for an Oct. 13 hearing on Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict’s proposed ordinance that would amend county code to separate the paperwork.
The idea is to drive up licensing compliance in Clallam County, where more than half the pets have a proof of rabies shot, but fewer than 15 percent of dogs and about 2 percent of cats have a license.
The Sheriff’s Office uses money collected from the pet licensing fees to transfer to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, which needs more money next year than the Sheriff’s Office has available.
No action will be taken in today’s continued hearing from Aug. 18. Action may be taken on Oct. 13, however.
Vets surveyed
In Monday’s commissioners’ work session, Benedict discussed the results of a recent survey of veterinarians on this issue.
Seven of the 12 respondents said they would like the proof of rabies vaccination to stay linked with the license. Nineteen surveys were mailed.
“People felt fairly passionate on both sides,” Benedict told the board.
The Animal Issues Advisory Committee, which represents the entire county, supports the proposal.
Dr. Tom Locke, health officer for Clallam and Jefferson County, “agrees wholeheartedly with my position, that having them linked hasn’t done much good,” Benedict added.
Most of the counties in the state, including Jefferson, have uncoupled the proof of rabies vaccination requirement from the licensing paperwork.
In last month’s hearing, opponents said rabies shots takes precedence over licensing. They said licensing is sometimes the only reason a pet owner will get a rabies shot for their animal and that a proof of license collar could give the false impression that an animal has been vaccinated for rabies.
Opponents also said they didn’t have enough notice before the hearing.
Cats and rabies
Cats are the No. 1 factor in the spread of rabies in the Northwest, Benedict said, because they are known to catch brown bats that carry the fatal disease.
In other discussion, the board heard a presentation on the renewal of the county’s hazard mitigation plan.
The current plan was prepared by consultant GeoEngineers Inc. and adopted in 2004. It is set to expire in January.
To be eligible for grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, counties need to have a hazard mitigation plan that complies with the Growth Management Act.
“This is really the way to tap into that money,” said Penny Linterman, emergency management program manager.
The revised plan is being prepared by county staff to save costs.
A 91-page draft hazard mitigation plan can be viewed at the county’ Web site, www.clallam.net.
Public comments can be made through the Web site. Those comments will be included in the final plan.
The county’s Emergency Management Division was recently transferred from the auspices of the Public Works Department to the Sheriff’s Office.
The multijurisdictional draft hazard plan covers the county, Port of Port Angeles, Peninsula College, Olympic Medical Center, Clallam County Public Utilities District and the cities of Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks.
The Crescent Water Association and Port Angeles School District are potential partners, Linterman said.
“We can add partners anytime in the next five years,” she said.
The hazard plan includes 40 new mitigation projects, including 10 studies.
“Good work,” Commissioner Steve Tharinger told Linterman. “It looks like it’ll be a valuable document.”
In today’s board meeting, the commissioners will consider a contract with K&H Printers for the Nov. 3 general election balloting. The estimated cost is $45,766.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
