Collier, Lee and Pinellas Counties act to help chained dogs
April 29th, 2010 by admin
Cities and counties across Florida continue to take steps to help dogs abandoned at the end of a chain.
This week new tethering restrictions go into effect in Collier County. Beginning May 1, it will no longer be legal to tether or chain a dog outdoors alone in Collier County (tethering is allowed if a guardian is outdoors along with the dog). The restrictions were motivated out of concern for dogs left outdoors in Florida’s extreme heat, and in recognition that dogs kept on chains without social interaction often become aggressive and dangerous. In an article in the Fort Myers News-Press, the director of Lee County Domestic Animal Services said that Lee County is also working on a similar ordinance.
Next Tuesday, May 4, Pinellas County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that places tough restrictions on tethering. The proposed ordinance would prohibit dogs to be tethered or chained to a dog house, tree or other stationary object. (The bill would allow dogs to be tethered for brief periods while the animal’s guardian completes “a temporary task.”)
If you are a Pinellas County resident, please attend the meeting and express your support of the proposed tethering restrictions. The meeting begins at 9:30am in the fifth floor Assembly Room of the Pinellas County Courthouse (315 Court St., Clearwater). Can’t make it to the meeting? Please contact the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners below:
Commissioner Neil Brickfield
nbrickfield@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner Calvin D. Harris
charris@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner Nancy Bostock
nbostock@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner Susan Latvala
slatvala@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner Karen Williams Seel
kseel@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner John Morroni
jmorroni@pinellascounty.orgCommissioner Kenneth T. Welch
ktwelch@pinellascounty.org