As a follow up to a Board meeting from January 23, 2018, Animal Services Manager James Terry met before the Board on Feb. 13, 2018 in order to discuss the current legislation in place for dangerous dogs in the county and the state.
Due to a recent spike in dogs getting free in neighborhoods, and the subsequent increase in attacks in some areas, James Terry, along with the sheriff, has begun a review of the statutes currently in place to protect its citizens. As it stands, the current regulations in place do have safeguards that allow for the identification of ‘dangerous dogs’ that also account for any fines and steps needed to be taken by the owners of these dogs in order to protect other domestic pets from any danger. The current legislation also has a glaring weakness that states that a dog needs ‘more than one’ attack in order for it to be listed as dangerous.
Usually, any dog that receives the title of ‘dangerous dog’ ends up euthanized or having extra measures taken in order to secure the dog to ensure that it cannot harm anyone or anyone’s domestic animals.
Currently, the legislation in place can be modified in order to better suit the needs of each county, but the classification of ‘dangerous dog’ and the need for more than one attack cannot be altered. As proposed by James Terry, the changes to the current ordinance would still emphasize the restraining of more violent dogs but would change the fine from just one hundred dollars to five hundred.
Comments from citizens tended to focus on the fact that, even though the current legislation in effect is meant to protect Hernando County from these attacks, sometimes nothing is done. There can be several calls made regarding one particular dog, but the proper citations may not have been carried out. From the citizens, there is a growing concern for their safety and the safety of their pets.
Hearing the comments, the Board came to the conclusion that although the current ordinance has taken steps in the right direction to protect everyone, their pets, and their loved ones; more needs to be done with an increased emphasis on application and enforcement. Unfortunately, no changes to the current ordinances can be carried out immediately as any recommended changes have to be posted for the public to see. A follow-up by the Board for this matter was requested in two weeks.