CITY OF
CHULA VISTA Office of the City Manager
November 12, 2024
The Honorable Maureen F. Hallahan San Diego Grand Jury
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court 550 West C Street, Suite 860 County of San Diego San Diego, CA 92101-3513
P.O. Box 122724
San Diego, CA 92112-2724
Re: Response to 2023/2024 Grand Jury Report entitled "Dog Bites in San Diego County" Dear Judge Hallahan:
On June 10, 2024, the San Diego Grand Jury published a report entitled "Dog Bites in San Diego County" ("Grand Jury Report" or "Report"). City of Chula Vista ("Chula Vista" or "City") learned of the report on or about August 29, 2024, from a third party and obtained a copy from the Grand Jury's website. City otherwise has no record of receiving the Report.
The Grand Jury Report contained four Findings and four Recommendations and directed Chula Vista to response to Findings 1 and 2, and Recommendations 1 and 2.
The following response pursuant to California Penal Code 933(c) and 933.05 is on behalf of the City of Chula Vista.
RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY'S FINDINGS 1 AND 2:
Finding 1: Not all animal control agencies with jurisdiction for animal control in the cities of San Diego County consistently report their dog bite information to San Diego County Animal Control for annual reporting to the California Department of Public Health.
The City disagrees with this finding as to City of Chula Vista only. City cannot comment as to other jurisdictions. For more than 10 years, City has annually reported data to the County of San Diego, including but not limited to, the number of dog bites, dog licenses issued, vaccines administered, and animal quarantines within its jurisdiction. This information is provided annually by Chula Vista to the County of San Diego on the form titled "Local Rabies Control Activity Report," used for reporting to the California Department of Public Health's Veterinary Public Health Section (CDPH-VPHS). As Chula Vista also performs animal care services for the cities of Imperial Beach and Lemon Grove, City's annual reporting to the County also includes data for these cities.'
Finding 2: Public information concerning fines for violations of dog control ordinances is not available for all interviewed jurisdictions.
1 The City's annual reporting to the County does not include animal license data for Lemon Grove as City does not have access to data regarding licenses issued by Lemon Grove. 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.chulavistaca.gov 22000 691-0031 fax (619) 409-58 The City disagrees with this finding as to City of Chula Vista only. City cannot comment as to other jurisdictions. Chula Vista's Municipal Code, Title 6 regulates animals within City's jurisdiction. Section
6.24.180 outlines fines under the provisions of City's Municipal Code for violations concerning dogs. Chula Vista's Municipal Code is available to the public online, and the specific provision outlining fines can be found at https://chulavista.municipal.codes/CVMC/6.24.180.
RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY'S RECOMMENDATIONS 1 AND 2:
The 2023-2024 Grand Jury recommends that all interviewed cities:
Recommendation 1: Interviewed cities should submit to the County of San Diego reports about all dog bites within their jurisdictions annually.
This recommendation has already been implemented by City of Chula Vista. For more than 10 years, City has annually reported data to the County of San Diego, including but not limited to, the number of dog bites, dog licenses issued, vaccines administered, and animal quarantines within its jurisdiction. This information is provided annually by Chula Vista to the County of San Diego on the form titled "Local Rabies Control Activity Report," used for reporting to the California Department of Public Health's Veterinary Public Health Section (CDPH-VPHS). As Chula Vista also performs animal care services for the cities of Imperial Beach and Lemon Grove, City's annual reporting to the County also includes data for these cities as well.? City cannot comment for other jurisdictions.
Recommendation 2: Interviewed cities and the County of San Diego should publicly post the fines associated with violations of ordinances concerning dogs.
This recommendation has already been implemented by City. City cannot comment as to other jurisdictions.
Chula Vista's Municipal Code Title 6 regulates animals within City's jurisdiction. Section 6.24.180 outlines fines under the provisions of City's Municipal Code for violations concerning dogs. Chula Vista's Municipal Code is available to the public online, and the specific provision outlining fines can be found at https://chulavista.municipal.codes/CVMC/6.24.180. City will analyze additional ways to publicly post fines associated with violations of ordinances concerning dogs and implement viable options.
Thank you for your thorough review of dog bites in San Diego County.
Sincerely,
Maria V. Kachadoorian
City Manager
Cc: City Council
2 The City's annual reporting to the County does not include animal license data for Lemon Grove as City does not have access to data for licenses issued by Lemon Grove. 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.chulavistaca.gov 2691-5031 fax (619) 409-5884