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November 12, 2024
ITEM TITLE
Grand Jury Report: Response to the 2023/2024 Grand Jury Report on Dog Bites in San Diego County Report Number: 24-0289
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Animal Care
G.C. § 84308: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting the 2023/2024 Grand Jury Report on Dog Bites in San Diego County and authorizing the response on behalf of the City.
SUMMARY
On June 10, 2024, the San Di ego 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 ’s existence on or about August 29, 2024 from a third party and obtained a copy of the Report 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 respond to Findings 1 and 2 and Recommendations 1 and 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
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 th e report in September, 2024 from a third party and obtained a copy from the Grand Jury’s website. The City has no record of receiving the Report.
The Grand Jury Report contained four Findings and four Recommendations and the Grand Jury directed Chula Vista to respond 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 reportin g 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.1
Finding 2: Public information concerning fines for violations of dog control ordinances is not available for all interviewed jurisdictions.
The City disagrees with this finding as to City of Chula Vista only. City cannot comment as to oth er 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.
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.
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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. Thi s 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.2 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.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current-year fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action.
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.
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Grand Jury Report – Dog Bites in San Diego County
2. Response to Grand Jury Report
Staff Contact: Courtney Chase, Deputy City Manager
Ashley Milo, Deputy Director of Animal Services