Residents press Clear Lake council for action on roaming dogs, shelter conditions and animal-control response

Multiple residents urged the Clear Lake City Council on May 18 to take immediate steps on animal-control and shelter complaints, saying packs of roaming dogs and poor shelter conditions threaten public safety and animal welfare.

Jean Janich, who identified herself during the public-comment period, described repeated problems at and near her property on Third Avenue: transient encampments with tarps attached to her fence, two emaciated dogs, large amounts of trash and what she described as repeated, unaddressed complaints to police and code enforcement. "I am so disappointed and disgusted with the Clear Lake police for not helping me in any way, not doing what was promised to me," she said, adding that code enforcement had not returned calls and that she had personally removed hazardous waste from the right-of-way at her own expense.

Several other speakers echoed those concerns. Kay Lopez reported repeated dog-bite incidents and said she could not find certificates for many animal-control officers in the California Certified Animal Control Officer registry; she urged the council to verify training and certification before allowing officers to issue citations. Hannah Phillips and Heather Monday described fear for children and neighbors from packs of dogs running unattended, and Susie Heidelbrecht, a shelter volunteer, said cages at the county shelter were filthy and staff were overwhelmed.

The council had earlier heard a police/shelter update from Lieutenant Peterson, who introduced an adoptable dog and provided shelter statistics: 97 dog intakes year-to-date, 81 departed (including 30 rescues, 34 return-to-owner, 17 adoptions, 1 euthanasia and 1 died at the shelter) with a live-release rate of 99.58%; he also said veterinary-care costs from Jan. 1 to date were $2,020,717.36 (confirmed with the clinic). Those figures were presented as part of a longer animal-services report shared before and during public comment.

What people asked for: residents requested more timely responses, better coordination between the city and North Bay/Petaluma Animal Services (the contract partner referenced by speakers), clear timelines for enforcement and cleanup, verification of animal-control officer certifications, and increased transparency and oversight of the shelter contract.

Council response and next steps: councilors thanked speakers and staff and noted photographs and documentation were received; staff indicated ongoing communication with the contracted shelter provider and county partners. Several speakers said they would return with further information at upcoming meetings. No council motion or formal action on animal-control policy was taken that evening; the council closed the public-comment period and moved to the consent agenda.

The council did not adopt new animal-control policies that night; residents were advised to follow up with staff and the city clerk regarding documentation and further public-comment opportunities.