Friday, August 15, 2008

Should Animal Control Show More Teeth?

Recently, I posted an email from one of our neighbors from SESH email group. Since then the site has received many post from neighbors with similar issues. I can tell you that this problem is becoming an epidemic throughout our city. Until we as tax paying citizens stand up and say “enough”, thing will not improve. It breaks my heart each time I see an animal caged or chained up outside in the hot Florida Heat, or caged with poor shelter in the constant summer rains.


As I see this constant form of animal cruelty, I could never understand why these people have decided to become pet owners in the first place. What joy or satisfaction do they get from having a pet tied up and constantly barking? Recently, I noticed a neighbor that had decided to purchase one of the “temporary” swimming pools. You know the one. The one that cost about $500-600 at Sam’s. Yet, there is no fence around the property, and their poor dog is chained to a wire crate. Not a dog house, a crate. First of all, if they have the kind of money to purchase a pool, you would think they would worry more about the fence.


I believe that we as Hillsborough County residents need to fight to change the ordinances for all pet owners. Maybe I am being generous here, but I believe that you should not be allowed to have a dog chained up for more than 30 days (Personally, I would like to see that you can’t chain a pet without supervision.) If you are going to become a pet owner, you must first have adequate housing and fencing for the pet.  Each year, thousands of pets die as a result of being chained. (Strangulation, heat, dehydration, or escape to be ran over)


What are your thoughts? Sound off!

Posted by Seminole Heights at 15:48:12 | Permalink | Comments (9)

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Animal Control / Abuse

This came from the SESH Email group. This seems to be a growing problem in our neighborhoods. However, from experience, there seems to be very little Animal control can do.  From previous issues, I have been told that if the animal has food, water and shelter, there is nothing AC can do. However, they can investigate to make sure the animal is current on all shots, etc. I think with enough requests, the usually put enough pressure on the owner to give up the dog, or offer better care.

To All:

I have been driving by a house at the corner of E Chelsea and N 13th St for a long time.  The house at 4222 N 13th St has a dog.  The poor dog has been tied up to a 6ft cable since he has been at that house.  The 6ft cable is not even secured to the ground but rather up high to wrought iron window bars giving the poor dog no more than about 3 feet to move around.  He can’t even move around in a complete circle because he lives smack up against  a wall of the house.  This means that he lives all the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 52 weeks a year in his own feces and urine.  The owners finally put out a dog house for him to have some minimal shelter.  But the dog house sits right in the middle of his 3ft circumference and gives the poor dog even less room to move around.  I never ever see water or food.  There is no grass or flooring, nothing but Florida dirt.  I can just imagine that he/she is full of flees and other pests.  His life must be pure MISERY!  This dog did not chose his owners, but rather the other way around. 

I have reported this situation THREE TIMES to Hillsborough County animal control.  NOTHING has been done to relieve this poor, helpless animal of his misery.  It may be illegal, but, I swear if nothing is done soon to help this dog, it will mysteriously find its freedom in the middle of the night.

PLEASE CONTACT ANIMAL SERVICES AND REPORT THIS. 

http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices/

Maybe if we all call, something will be done soon. 

Sorry for the rant…but I just can’t stand to see that poor dog suffer any more.
Posted by Seminole Heights at 12:51:40 | Permalink | Comments (5)