June 19, 1998

 To:Board of Health

 From:Dr. Sheela V. Basrur, Medical Officer of Health

 Subject:Animal Services Advisory Committee of the Board of Health

 Purpose:

 To review the proposal to establish an Animal Services Advisory Committee of the Board of Health, addressing issues of purpose, outcomes, potential overlap and reporting relationship.

 Recommendation:

 That this report be received for information.

 Background:

 At its April 14th, 1998 meeting, the Board of Health requested that the Medical Officer of Health review the proposal to establish four Advisory Committees (Food Policy Council; Animal Services; School Health; and Substance Abuse/Alcohol Advisory) and report back further on the following issues:

 (1)Purpose of each committee e.g. mandate/Terms of Reference, composition, identification of need;

(2)Expected outcome of each committee;

(3)Is there duplication or overlap of its mandate in other City of Toronto ABC's; and

(4)Is it an internal or external committee, and its connection to the Board of Health.

 The Board also requested staff to report on whether appeals relating to muzzling of dogs conducted in some former municipalities could be heard by the Animal Services Advisory Committee (if established) instead of by the Board of Health.

 This report addresses the proposal to establish an Animal Services Advisory Committee. The other proposed committees will be addressed in separate reports. The issue of where appeals to dog muzzling orders are heard will be dealt with in reports on harmonized animal care and control legislation.

Comments:

 The issues raised by the Board of Health with respect to an Animal Services Advisory Committee are addressed in order below.

 (A)Purpose and Format

 Purpose:To provide a forum where stakeholders can discuss and advise the Board of Health on issues referred by the Board in relation to municipal animal services.

 Composition:1Member of the Board of Health as Chair

4representatives of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one from each of the two branches and two affiliates within the City of Toronto

2citizen representatives who are not pet owners

1representative from the Toronto Academy of Veterinary Medicine

1representative of the Toronto Wildlife Centre

1representative of PIJAC Canada (The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada)

1representative of the Metro Dog Owners Association

1representative of a Toronto Cat Owners Association

1representative of Animal Alliance of Canada

1representative of Zoocheck Canada

 Meetings:Approximately quarterly, or at the call of the Chair.

 Staffing:Professional staff - Public Health

Administrative Staff - City Clerk

 (B)Outcome

 The Board of Health will be able to request and receive informed advice from a range of stakeholders on matters related to animal services in the City of Toronto. The Board would consider this advice along with recommendations from staff in responding to animal services issues.

 (C)Duplication

 The mandate of the proposed committee does not duplicate that of any other current City of Toronto Agency, Board or Committee.

(D)Relationship to the Board of Health

 The proposed committee has external community membership and reports directly to the Board of Health.

 Contact Name:

 Dr. David McKeown, Toronto Office, Public Health

Tel:392-7405

Fax:392-0713

Dr. Sheela V. Basrur

Medical Officer of Health