PC 121207 - Laserfiche WebLink

slide of the interior of the mew which delineated the interior height of the structure. Ms. Decker noted that federal or State agents inspected the enclosures and that they would perform any necessary enforcement actions. She believed the site had been inspected and that it conformed to the necessary regulations. Ms. Decker then described the body of articles attached to the staff report regarding hawk attacks and noted that one article cited a park in New York was using hawks to clear pigeons and that while one small dog had been plucked from the shrubs by the hawk, the dog was rushed to the veterinarian and treated for minor injuries. She noted that the account noted that the introduction of the hawks into the park was successful in clearing out the pigeons; it seemed the program had continued. She noted that other articles indicated attacks may have occurred due to the proximity of the nesting areas and how hawks are naturally in surrounding areas. She also noted that many attacks were to pigeons on the East Coast and Southern California which were reported by pigeon fanciers. Commissioner Olson inquired if the New York incident involved a falcon or a hawk. Ms. Decker replied that it was a hawk and not a peregrine falcon. She added that falconry uses various types of hawks. Chairperson Fox inquired whether there was a difference between a hawk and a falcon and whether a hawk is a subspecies of a falcon. Ms. Decker indicated that staff did not know all of the differences between the two. Commissioner Blank indicated that he had done some research in that area and noted that the red-tailed hawk belonged to the family known as falconiformes, which indicated that it generally killed its prey with its beak. Commissioner Blank indicated that he had more information to share in relation to another email. Ms. Decker noted the Commission asked whether the appropriate license had been obtained when the hawk was trapped and indicated staff did not have a copy of the license going back that far in the December 2005 time frame to know whether a license was obtained. Staff believes that the permit might have been obtained appropriately. Ms. Decker noted that with regard to transport or handling, the dog leash laws required dogs to be leashed while outside the owner’s property. In addition, the Pleasanton Municipal Code did not allow fowls and rabbits to roam free outside the property boundaries of the owner. She noted that hawks were not let loose outside within their neighborhood environment. When they are transported, they were placed in cages with hoods over their heads to prevent them from seeing where they were going, thereby keeping them calm during transport. She noted that the City would not require the bird to be leashed with a jesse and that it was presumed that the owner would know how to properly transport the hawk in compliance with State and federal regulations. Staff provided information to describe the practices of falconry. With respect to another question, Ms. Decker indicated that information had been provided describing how hawks are used for hunting activities. She indicated that staff provided materials PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2007 Page 6 of 19