9/7/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rr"- 'SEP "d 193 BOOK 90 FA ssi�nF 3 3 Under Section 302.05 an owner of an animal is only required to keep that animal on a leash, cord, chain etc if the animal is off his own property. The animal can be loose on his own property if under the control of his owner or responsible person. The term "under control" is insufficient. Simply telling your dog or cat "stay" and then driving off to work is ridiculous. The animal who will "stay" is the exception to the rule. Many of us are tire4of our trash being emptied, finding cat foot prints and scratches on our autos, holes dug in our yards and piles of unwanted feces deposited about our yards. Think about it, these animals eat the same thing we do. When an animal causes a problem and you call animal control the first thing you are asked is "is the dog still there?". Usually the answer is "NO" he already left. Next statement is "We have to catch the dog in the act". If the dog or cat goes home and is sitting in his front yard he is again perfectly legal. I have been asked to catch,the dogs and tie them up. I refuse to expose myself to being bitten. I also refuse to be forced to fence EX yard to keep other irresponsible persons animals out! An animal is NOT restrained if it is not tied, fenced or inside the house. Loose in the yard is just what is says per Websters: LOOSE: 1- not rigidly fastened or securely attached 2- having relative freedom of movement 3 -free from a state of confinement, restraint or.obligation. It is no wonder that there were over 300 animal bites reported to the Health Department in 1991 and 75 animal bites the first two months of 1992. I would like to know why Indian River County has not picked up the responsibility of seeing to it that there is a mandatory reporting system of animal bites since it was -discontinued early on in 1992 by the State of Florida? All Physicians, Veterinarians, Clinics, Hospitals in this County should be legally obligated to report all animal bites to Animal Control. How else can you keep track of animals that are repeat biters? All Veterinarians in Indian River County should be required by law to release a list of all -their "patients" with address and phone numbers to Animal Control so that these owners of -'pets can be billed for a County dog or cat tag. Another option would be for Veterinarians in this county to sell County tags and not be permitted to treat an Indian River County cat or dog that did not have'a County tag. In closing I want you to know that I am an animal lover. I have a dog that is an integral part of our family. The idea of leaving him loose in the front yard and taking the chance of him being stolen or run over by a car is unheard of. I also respect my neighbors property and would not want my animal causing someone else a problem. 26