Protect the animals of Walton County

**4dogs** · 04-15-2008, 12:24 PM

Walton County is in the process of currently re-writing the Animal Control Ordinance. It will be presented to the public and voted on by the Board of County Commissioners at the regularly scheduled meeting that will be held, Tuesday, April 22nd at the Walton County Courthouse located on Hwy 90 in DeFuniak Springs. The meeting starts at 4PM and this will be one of the first items on the agenda.

It's important for anyone who wants to see an effective and enforceable code to be implemented in this County to attend and voice your opinion. The current code does nothing to stop puppy mills. We need stronger legislation to empower our Animal Control Officers to be able to perform their jobs effectively, and protect the animals of this County from inhumane treatment.

Please take the time to contact the members of the BCC. Their names and contact information is available on the County's website. Now is the time to let them know that a strong well written ordinance is in the best interests of our County. Plan on attending this important meeting and make your voice heard.

**wrobert** · 04-15-2008, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by 4dogs

Walton County is in the process of currently re-writing the Animal Control Ordinance. It will be presented to the public and voted on by the Board of County Commissioners at the regularly scheduled meeting that will be held, Tuesday, April 22nd at the Walton County Courthouse located on Hwy 90 in DeFuniak Springs. The meeting starts at 4PM and this will be one of the first items on the agenda.

It's important for anyone who wants to see an effective and enforceable code to be implemented in this County to attend and voice your opinion. The current code does nothing to stop puppy mills. We need stronger legislation to empower our Animal Control Officers to be able to perform their jobs effectively, and protect the animals of this County from inhumane treatment.

Please take the time to contact the members of the BCC. Their names and contact information is available on the County's website. Now is the time to let them know that a strong well written ordinance is in the best interests of our County. Plan on attending this important meeting and make your voice heard.

Please be more specific when you say stronger ordinances. Rules of law have the unintended consequence of limiting the rights of others. I am interested in which rules you feel need to be strengthened.

Personally, my dealings with animal control have been great. Lois Marlowe has my vote as one of the top county employees.

**doxiegirl** · 04-18-2008, 09:01 PM

We need some more teeth in the current ordinance. Excuse the pun. The proposed ordinance does away with the special zones that former Commissioner Walker and current Commissioner Jones stuck in the last ordinance. I am sure the ACOs have had a hard time dealing with the differenet rules thoughout the county.

**wrobert** · 04-18-2008, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by doxiegirl

We need some more teeth in the current ordinance. Excuse the pun. The proposed ordinance does away with the special zones that former Commissioner Walker and current Commissioner Jones stuck in the last ordinance. I am sure the ACOs have had a hard time dealing with the differenet rules thoughout the county.

So it does away with the zones. Anything else?

**chrisv** · 04-18-2008, 10:06 PM

This is all too vague for me. I'm certainly against puppy mills in the sense that unscrupulous breeders maximize birthing for profits, but what exactly is the change being proposed and what do you propose? Zones? Are they the same as the WCSO patrol zones? And what if I want to breed my own animals? I did see some pups for sale in front of the old Fina station north of the bridge this morning, how about that? I think it is criminal that some neighbors of mine always seem to have puppies around but I've never seen those puppies grow up. I think they get hit by cars. I suppose it is better than their rental bike fleet getting hit though...

I miss my dog. Baxter, a boxer mix from the Niceville Animal Clinic, a mutt to most but a prince of a pup to us.

**4dogs** · 04-19-2008, 05:30 PM

I have attached the existing ordinances with the revisions added.
The new ordinances, like the previous ordinances are an embarrassment to Walton County.
Please attend the BCC meeting Tuesday to voice your opinion.

**wrobert** · 04-20-2008, 07:06 AM

Keeping in mind I love animals and own more than my fair share that I have rescued.

This section is a bit bothersome

(a) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Ordinance for any person to transport a dog or cat in an open-bed truck or other similar vehicle when the temperature outside is above 90� or below 40�.

There are some breeds of domesticated animals specific to temperatures outside this range.

(a) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Ordinance for any person to transport a dog or cat in an enclosed vehicle trunk.

What is wrong with this? When growing up that is where the dog would ride all the time and trunks were even more isolated then they they are now in vehicles.

.The requirement for probable cause shall be satisfied if the violation occurs in the presence of the officer, or if the available evidence at the scene is sufficient for a reasonable person to believe a violation has occurred, or if the owners or occupants of two or more different lots or residences nearby execute verified written statements substantiating a violation.

I have never seen probable cause defined as verified written statements from occupants of two or more lots or residences. Sort of throws out what I have been taught when it comes to this sort of stuff.

(a) All dogs shall be prohibited from public beaches of Walton County except as provided below
Dogs owned by Walton County real property owners or permanent residents who have obtained a permit and who maintain the animal on a leash.

As I have previous stated, this is blatantly unconstitutional. You can not require property ownership or residence to get a benefit in this country. That is the purpose of full faith and credit. We are all equal. And we pay the county attorney how much every month?

(b) Any animal impounded under this ordinance not suffering from or suspected of having an infectious disease, shall be held for up to 7 days excluding day of impoundment, unless sooner redeemed by the owner. This time frame may be extended by Walton County Animal Control as necessary. Those animals suffering from or suspected of having an infectious disease shall be evaluated for further action.

UP TO 7 DAYS????? So if they need the room, too bad for Fido? I see later on that they then say a minimum of seven days from posting notice of impoundment if they deem the animal healthy. I do not see where they require notice to be posted on their website. Since they do operate one I would like to see that posting be made a requirement. Otherwise it is going to be very confusing, some could be posted, while others are not and then destroyed.

They will not issue traps for animals from June 1 to Sept 30 do to possible heat stress. Yet we allow our kids to ride busses during that period that sit for long periods of time and refuse to air condition them. I guess it is a matter of priorities.

Is there something else you think needs to be added?

**4dogs** · 04-23-2008, 08:25 AM

wrobert,
I was disappointed you did not speak up at the BCC meeting.
4dogs

**wrobert** · 04-23-2008, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by 4dogs

wrobert,
I was disappointed you did not speak up at the BCC meeting.
4dogs

4dogs,

Was not at the BCC meeting. I was at home awaiting your response to the discussion we were having. I did speak to my commissioners about my thoughts. And since they all either read these forums or have someone read them for them, they are aware of how I feel.

Since you were there, what happened?

**4dogs** · 04-23-2008, 04:57 PM

wrobert,
There were some changes made, but not enough. A committe will be formed to review the ordinances and make suggestions to revise them.
4dogs

**chrisv** · 04-23-2008, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by 4dogs

wrobert,
There were some changes made, but not enough. A committe will be formed to review the ordinances and make suggestions to revise them.
4dogs

4dogs, I read your letter to the editor here and in both newspapers, but I still cannot tell what you propose needs to be included in a new ordinance. You posted the proposed changes, but didn't comment on them at all, other than that they are "an embarrassment." What changes were made at the BCC meeting? You are disappointed that wrobert didn't speak up at the meeting, did you? You keep saying we need stronger rules, that not enough was done. Exactly where do you stand? Are you going to be on the committee? As an animal lover I'd love to get behind your efforts, if I only knew what they were...

**4dogs** · 04-24-2008, 03:56 PM

chrisv,
Unfortunately the meeting was moving so fast I am not sure what all the changes have been made to the Animal Control Ordinances. I posted the proposed ordinances to give the public the ability to voice their own opinions. I was disappointed wrobert did not speak at the BCC meeting because he has specific issues with the ordinances. I did not speak at the BCC meeting. I was going to, but I could tell the commissioners had heard all they wanted to hear on the subject that night. They were running over an hour behind due to the AC Ordinances. I have requested to be on the advisory committee. Once the new ordinances are posted, I would be happy to sit down with you and go over them.
4dogs