Workshop in Hillsborough County, FL

[JoJo]

Workshop On Breed Specific Legislation
3050 N. Rocky Point Drive W. , Tampa
Starts: Sunday, November 18
Ends: Sunday, November 18
DoubleTree Guest Suites, 2-4P, Free, RSVP
For more info call 813-876-7310

(This is located right on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Rocky Point for those that live in the surrounding areas.)

If it wasn't for me turning on the TV this morning and catching our local activities for the week, I'd never would have known this. Anyone in the area want to join me? I'll be wearing my Rott Stock t-shirt.

[JoJo]

I called to RSVP, found out it was standing room only!!!! The Humane Society is sponsoring this. I have a feeling though that this is a continuation of the spay/neutering mandate along with BSL. Not if I have anything to say about it. Why does everyone think that spaying/neutering solves all the problems?

[JonandMichelle]

Did you go mom?

It is not that our officals think it will solve the problem....their goal is to systematically get rid of the so called problem, however, they fail in holding irresponsable owners guilty for their in-actions of being responsable owners. Many cities and towns are enforcing outragous pet licenses fees for unneutered animals.

[JoJo]

Unfortunately I couldn't make it, but Lorhel went. She said it was mainly for Pit Bulls but there were also a few rottie people there. I hope Lori will post on what she heard. Lori told me that she has some material that she received so when I get to see her I'll read over it.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Why does everyone think that spaying/neutering solves all the problems?

It is just the start of a slippery slope. The AR people are the ones that use the CDC stats that say that most of the attacks/fatalities are caused by intact animals. The real reason that animals attack isn't because of their sexual status, it is due to the owners allowing such behavior to happen.
But hey, mandatory s/n sounds like a great short cut to stop attacks that the pols go for it. What they don't realize is that they are being spoonfed. The AR's utimate goal is to end all pet ownership.
When mandatory s/n doesn't work to end attacks (because it won't- s/n doesn't change behavior- people control/change their animal's behavior), they will go with banning breeds (since "bad" breed attacks will still make the news, the only difference will be that they are now fixed. So the "logical" conclusion will be that in order to protect the public from these "bad" breeds (since s/n didn't stop the attacks), is to ban the "bad" breeds. Once that is done and considered "acceptable", one by one other breeds will be added for public safety.
They will be added because irresponsible owners will still own dogs and they will not change their irresponsible behavior. New breeds will take the place of the pits and rotts. They will be added to the list. In another generation people will not understand where the phase, "Man's best friend", came from. That is when the AR's will claim victory. Oh, what a wonderful world it will be then- NOT.

[poohbearsmom]

I think Connie Johnson went to the meeting.

I'd like to hear what was said, and the best way to approach our lawmakers.

I'm attempting to wrangle some folks together for an 'education' day for the powers that be here in Tallahassee.

[LORHEL]

Sorry I just read this guys, I don't have my home computer working now, only on at work-- I gave Jojo a booklet of everything that I got at the meeting that day. It was mostly based on pit bulls, but still very informing because it does apply to our breed just as much.

I will let Jojo elaborate on it, as she is better educated, and better with words.

One item that they did stress as far as legislators go is to point out everything to them that is going to cost the tax payers more money (which is the last thing they want to have to do) if these laws were to be passed, etc..

[JonandMichelle]

I don't know if any of this was brought up at the meeting back then...but I found this of interest...btw, I am from the Clearwater/Tampa area, so this is why I am so involved with this area as well.....



Fines For Pet Crimes May Be Increased
By MIKE SALINERO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County is considering charging irresponsible pet owners more so it can beef up its animal control enforcement.

The county's Department of Animal Services is trying to combat the problem of increasing numbers of dog bites in recent years, but Director Bill Armstrong said his field staff of 40 is hard-pressed to address problems in a 1,000-square-mile area.

The department lost one animal control investigator last year because of countywide budget cuts made after the Legislature rolled back property taxes. More cuts might be looming if a Jan. 29 referendum passes that would reduce property taxes further.

Despite losing the officer, the department issued 907 citations last year, seven more than the year before. And in a break from the sharp increases of dog bites in recent years, the number of reported bites decreased from 2,279 in 2006 to 2,040 last year.

"If we lose more officers, we're going to clearly backslide," Armstrong said. "Even though we got fewer bites and issued more citations, those citation numbers are not going to keep up."

Where Fine Revenue Goes

The county would like to use some of the money collected from fines against pet owners to fund the Animal Services department, but that's not how the system works now.

Armstrong told county commissioners Thursday that when the county levies fines for animal violations, the money goes to the clerk of the circuit court or to the state to support court operations.

In 2005, the Legislature shifted responsibility for funding the court system from the counties to the state. The clerk of court collects fines and fees and keeps enough money to cover the clerk's budget; any excess goes to the state.

Armstrong suggested two options for getting penalty money to the county: reducing the fines by $50 and adding a $50 administrative fee, or leaving the fines the same and adding the $50 fee.

Commissioners Kevin White and Rose Ferlita support some type of fee to help Animal Services. White became interested in reviewing county animal control operations after one of his teenage campaign workers was mauled by a pit bull in 2006. He said he favors reducing the fine and adding the fee, which would funnel more money to the county but keep fines the same.

"Sometimes people's dogs just get out," White said. "It could be a Chihuahua or cocker spaniel that's the loose dog, and the fine is the same."

Ferlita, who said she has rescued a number of abused and neglected dogs, said the county's Animal Advisory Committee should look at increasing fines across the board. The county needs to send a "strong statement" to irresponsible dog owners that their actions have consequences, she said.

"This is not the poor taxpayer who is going to have another tax tacked on," Ferlita said. "This is about evaluating what fines we want to charge for people who are violating animal cruelty laws or letting their dogs run loose."

Reducing the fine would decrease the amount of money the clerk of court has to run the court system, said Dan Klein, chief deputy clerk to the county commission.

"If the clerk and the courts lose revenue, we will have to cut expenses on our side to compensate for that loss," said Klein, who works under Clerk of Court Pat Frank. "Maybe the fees need to be increased rather than taking some other agency's revenue away."

Animal Services also conducts programs in schools, teaching children how to stay safe around dogs. The same days the personnel visit schools, they sweep surrounding neighborhoods looking for loose dogs.

Treading Dangerous Path

Animal control officers and investigators often tread a dangerous path. The majority of dog problems are in high-crime neighborhoods, said Dennis McCullough, the department's executive manager for field operations. County animal officers have been assaulted. One was shot with a pellet gun. Last year, an animal control officer in Texas was shot and killed. "Usually people who are irresponsible with their animals are also irresponsible in other areas of their lives," McCullough said. "So we generally deal with a lot of the same people that law enforcement deals with."

But McCullough and Armstrong say the increase in reported dog bites and other offenses may be because of a more-educated public and better media coverage. The recent conviction of pro football star Michael Vick for dog fighting increased public awareness about the pervasiveness of animal cruelty, McCullough said. "We've gone into these areas later and seen that we've made a difference," he said. "But I need officers to do that."

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com.

Fines For Pet Crimes May Be Increased

[JoJo]

I will let Jojo elaborate on it, as she is better educated, and better with words.

You must be on some really powerful meds for your back Lori.

Like I stated, I wasn't able to make it to the meeting so I have no idea what was discussed. Lori was kind enough to bring me a booklet that was given to all attendees. It's jammed with information on the Pitt Bull. It has statistics for Florida, bite prevention info and Fear vs. Fact info. Nothing on the agenda of what they want or plan on doing.

Michelle, it seems that the news article that you found is more informative. I'm not saying that the workshop wasn't, it's just that I have no information to give. Sorry.