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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 5, 2002
Editor: Last week, I had occasion to drive west on Fox Hollow Drive from Little Road to U.S. 19. I counted seven homeowners watering lawns. This was on a Sunday about 7 p.m. when no watering was allowed.
I think it's disgusting that these homeowners have no respect for the law, no respect for the fact that we do have a serious water problem, and no respect for their neighbors who do abide by the rules.
Here are a couple of solutions:
Neighbors should start reporting violations of neighbors.
Deputize civilians (maybe seniors). Give them a day of training and turn them loose. Pay them no salary, but give them 25 percent of the fines collected based on the violations they write up.
This will not cost the county a dime and, I'm sure, it will cut down drastically on offenses.
-- Howard Stiles, Port Richey
Re: Cat owners keep pets inside the home where they belong, May 29 letter.
Editor: I wholeheartedly agree with letter writer Gerri Kostinko of New Port Richey.
I would like to quote from the city of New Port Richey Code Enforcement Department:
Section 4-3 Running at large:
"(a) It shall be unlawful for any dog, cat or other animal possessed, kept or harbored to run at large."
Section 4-6 Animals constituting a nuisance:
"3: Frequent digging into, breaking or otherwise injuring or breaking or otherwise injuring or damaging shrubbery, trees, lawn, garbage or stored materials on public or private property.
"4: Frequent or habitual depositing of excreta on property not belonging to the owner of the animal."
Sec. 4-7 Sanitary conditions:
"(b) The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal on public walks, recreational areas or private property."
Article II -- Licenses:
Section 4-26. Registration:
"No owner shall have within the city any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older unless such dog or cat is currently registered with the city. A current metal registration certificate in the form of a tag issued by the city must be affixed to a collar or harness that must be worn by the dog or cat at all times. No dog or cat shall be registered until evidence of current vaccination is submitted to the city as set forth in Section 4-52."
Section 4-52 Certificate of Vaccination:
"Evidence of rabies vaccination shall consist of a paper certificate which must be obtained by the owner form a veterinarian, stating the name of the owner, the address of the owner, a description of the dog or cat, the date of the vaccination, the kind of vaccine used and the name and address of the veterinarian. Code 1964, S4-6 (B)."
Section 4-27 Fees:
"Dog and cat license fees as follows:
"(1) Male dog or cat: $14.00
"(2) Female dog or cat: $14.00
"(3) Neutered male dog or cat: $4.00
"(4) Spayed female dog or cat: $4.00"
Section 4-30 Issuance:
"Dog and cat licenses shall be issued by the city finance department upon presentation of veterinarian certificate of vaccination and proof of the animal being spayed or neutered if applicable and the appropriate license fee (Code 19643 4-7(b)."
Thank you for your kind attention in this regard.
-- Frank T. Burkhard, New Port Richey