10/12/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excessive complaints have not been recorded in this regard by the Animal Control Division which would suggest there is not an alarming number of citizens leaving their animals unrestrained in their front yards, telling them to "stay" and driving off. CONCERN: Ms. Wagner states "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?" RESPONSE: Staff cannot agree or disagree with the figures cited by Ms. Wagner in terms of bite statistics since Mike Galanis of the Environmental Health Office was contacted on September 30, 1993, by this writer and he could not state whether the figures were accurate or not. He did advise that the reporting of domestic animal control bites to his office was very minimal and had substantially reduced since the state decided not to fund the program in 1992. The Animal Control Division has received thirty-five ( 35 ) bite reports from the period March -August, 1993. It should be noted that staff contacted the State Rabies Control Of f icer who stated the State of Florida has not changed the bite reporting policy for medical facilities. This was also verified by the President of the Florida Animal Control Association. It was also determined that Administrative Rule 1OD-3.62 is still in effect and it requires medical practitioners to report animal bites (of humans only) by a potentially rabid animal to the County Health Unit. Ms. Wagner also suggests that all medical entities should be required to report all animal bites to Animal Control. Staff would assert that all bites are not due to a vicious animal and in many cases, dogs are being teased, harmed, abused, protecting their offspring, or the result of a dog in heat when the bite occurs. Each case has to be judged on its own merits after the facts are obtained. The Board could amend the ordinance to include the language that Ms. Wagner suggests, but enforcement would be difficult if not impossible. Staff feels the bite reporting program and the ordinance in place is sufficient given the fact this is the first complaint that has been raised by anyone in this regard to this writers knowledge. 35 CT 1993 600K go F,g, 752