Committee members raise concerns after North Bay animal-services contract ends; Marin Humane interim reports begin

A committee member described a 2024 dog-bite case and urged closer city oversight of animal services during committee comment at the April 22 Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting. The member said the city recently terminated its contract with North Bay Animal Services and urged consideration of a police-accessible registry for dogs deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous.

"The city just last month terminated its contract with the North Bay Animal Services following a scathing, grand jury civil grand jury report and community outcry," the member said, citing the community’s concerns about delays and lack of timely reporting. The member suggested that police be involved in abatement actions or maintain a central registry so officers responding to calls would know whether a dangerous dog is present.

Chief Miller and committee members said the city’s interim animal-services provider is Marin Humane Society, and that new contracting protocols require weekly reporting to the city. Chief Miller and a committee liaison said the city manager will present permanent contract proposals and protocol changes to the city council; the deputy city attorney advised that matters related to animal-services contracts are appropriately handled at the council level rather than in PSAC.

Committee members said they would forward the concern through their council liaison and asked staff to add animal-services contract oversight to the long-range calendar for upcoming council discussion. The meeting then adjourned.

Next procedural step: the city manager and city council will address the permanent animal-services contract; PSAC members plan to raise operational concerns through the liaison and request updates as the council process unfolds.