Patience + perserverance = positive change for animals
March 23rd, 2011 by admin
Passing a local ordinance can sometimes be a long, tedious process. Nobody knows this better than ARFF Coordinators Carla and Bryan Wilson who yesterday finally saw the results they’ve been waiting three years for, when the Seminole County Commission unanimously passed an ordinance to restrict the cruel chaining or tethering of dogs. The county began working on the ordinance in October 2007 at the urging of animal advocates. In the years since, the Wilson’s have attended numerous meetings, written letters to the editor, and organized events designed to grab the media’s attention (such as the 24 hours Bryan spent chained to a doghouse in a Sanford park).
The new ordinance in Seminole County prohibits the chaining or tethering of dogs outdoors between 9:00am and 5:00pm, unless a guardian is outside along with the dog. The ordinance also prohibits chaining dogs outdoors at any time during bad weather or extreme heat.
A growing number of cities and counties in Florida have enacted ordinances banning or restricting the tethering of dogs, including Collier, Escambia, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.
You can help! Approach your city or county commissioners about enacting an ordinance to prohibit the cruel tethering of dogs. Often all it takes is one outspoken individual to make a positive change for animals. ARFF can help by providing you with model ordinances, and by mobilizing compassionate individuals in your community.