Okaloosa County BOCC — November 4, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

inhumane to tie a dog up in the backyard but do we want to have a dog tied up in the back of a vehicle because it is the City policy. Mr. Rytman agrees with what Mr. Gordon stated on this issue. Ms. Helt does not feel that this is an issue that really needs to be addressed. Even on the tethering issue, she doesn’t understand where the Council stands on it. Right now there is no prohibition in the current code related to tethering. She wants to know if the Council is going for a prohibition against tethering or not to deal with tethering at all. Discussion ensued relative to tethering. Mr. Hayes states that it seems that the Council would agree to the tethering portion of the ordinance but not to the tethering to the vehicle and to leave that to the responsibility of the owner of the animal. Ms. Helt asked that if Mr. Hayes was agreeing to the tethering portion as written. Because there is no mention of a pulley system or alternatives to tethering a dog to a stationary object as discussed. Ms. Roy stated that the verbiage for that can be added. Ms. Helt commented that from what she read it the ordinance would seem to not allow any type of tethering. Ms. Roy stated that the only tethering not allowed is the tethering to a stationary object. Mr. Blocker addressed section 10-7 where it states that an owner cannot vaccinate their own animals. Ms. Roy stated that is correct because it is a state law. 5 Workshop 05/12/14 Mr. Blocker does not agree with that at all even if it is a state law. Mr. Hayes then asked Council for direction or a consensus to the ordinance. Mr. Blocker recommends to do away with the number of animals a person can own whether it be a chicken, cat, pig or dog because there is legislation in place that dictates what one can do or have on their property. Mr. Hayes commented that there was a consensus to remove the number of animals from the ordinance. Mr. Gordon stated that in regards to tethering, he feels that to have a dog tied to a stationary object is inhumane there has to be some source of opportunity for the Animal Control to come in and care for the animal if the owner is not doing so. In that instance he agrees that there needs to be a tethering policy. Mr. Rytman commented that his main concern was the abuse to animals he does like the pulley system idea and is for the tethering portion of the ordinance. Mr. Hayes informed the City Clerk that the majority of the Council is in agreement with the tethering portion of the ordinance. Brian Hughes, 705 Ashley Drive, Crestview FL, wanted to congratulate the Council for resisting the urge to legislate. Because it is so easy to be influenced to pass a law against something and sometimes we don’t think the laws all the way through. He then gave an example of why items need to be thought through. Penny Crock, 310 Springwood Circle, Crestview FL, stated that she has owned up to fourteen dachshunds in a small yard, top show dogs. I have introduced myself to every person and have given them my personal information. She does not think tethering is good but if a dog jumps out of a pick-up truck in front of her car she will try to miss the dog and may hit a person. She believes restraint makes sense. A person will either take care of their dog or they won’t but someone should be able to walk in when abuse is happening. April Meier, 198 North Main Street, Crestview FL, had a question with Section 10-5, item number two that deals with no domestic animals can trespass on school grounds. Which she discussed this issue at the other Workshop concerning the Animal Ordinance. Dozier the Therapy dog does go to the schools and Ms. Meier feels the issue needs to be addressed. She then addressed the section that deals with having a dog for the physically handicap but not dogs that are used for emotional therapy. Ms. Roy stated that the section does state that the dog must trespass but if it is invited to the school there is no issue. Ken, Crestview FL, stated that he vaccinates his animals that include horses, dogs, rabbits, chickens and other animals. There are many stores that sell the vaccinations and he did not see 6 Workshop 05/12/14 that it was against the law because to take the animals to the a Vet it would cost four times the amount than the pack that is sold in stores. Mr. Hayes instructed the Clerk to research to find a statute that regulates vaccinations. Ms. Roy answered that it is possible that a person has to have a vet certificate to get a license. Landrum B. Edwards, 587 East Brock Avenue, Crestview FL, stated that yesterday afternoon he had a wild turkey in his yard and then he received a call from his neighbor asking him to quiet his dog and when he did there was a possum in the tree. He asked who is going to come get the possum out of the tree in the middle of the night. Mr. Edwards stated that he owned seventeen dogs at one time and was certified from his Vet to perform vaccinations to his animals. Thomas Simms, 426 Mara Drive, Crestview FL, stated that his concern is with chickens because he lives in Countryview on a quarter acre lot. From his understanding the chickens can roam free during the day in the lot. If that is done he cannot let his dog out because the dog will chase the chickens. Would it be his responsibility to train his dog to what a chicken is? His dog chases anything that comes in the yard, so since he can’t tether him what does he do. Mr. Rytman stated that he would like to see the ADA compliance added to the ordinance. Discussion ensued. 4. Other items as deemed necessary by Council 5. Adjournment Meeting adjourned by Mr. Hayes at 6:05 p.m. _____________________________ __________________________ Elizabeth M. Roy Shannon Hayes City Clerk Council President Minutes approve this_____ day of , 2014. 7 Workshop 05/12/14