Hillsborough: Unfixed dog fee idea put on hold

Hillsborough County commissioners will wait at least two more months before deciding whether to enact new animal control measures, including a proposal to charge pet owners an annual fee for every dog they have that is not fixed.

So-called intact dogs - those who still have their sex organs - have at least one pal in Commissioner Brian Blair. He said the county should crack down on irresponsible animal owners rather than punish dogs.

"I feel very, very bad about the victims, but with most (dog bites), it's the owners' fault," Blair said.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe told Animal Services supervisors to include representatives of kennel groups or others who work with and breed dogs in developing proposals.

Commissioner Kevin White asked Animal Services to draft new measures for dealing with dangerous animals after an attack on a Plant City 2-year-old by a family pet. Animal Services has been developing ideas with the help of a task force and its citizens advisory committee.

Proposals include hiring more workers to visit areas with high numbers of dog bites and increasing fines for people who fail to register their animals.

But proposals to charge an annual fee of as much as $150 for each unfixed dog, and another fee of up to $150 per litter, have angered animal lovers.

County records show that about 75 percent of more than 2,000 reported dog bites annually are by unfixed animals.

The discussion came the same day Angel Perez received an "Awesome Animal Angel Award" for rescuing Dontae Vincent, 9, from a pack of pit bullterriers Jan 23. Both she and Dontae received extensive bites, but are okay now.

In other action, commissioners asked the county's Environmental Protection Commission to craft ways for them to more closely regulate crematories. At least two have opened or sought to open near neighborhoods in the past year.

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by Craig	04/09/07 02:32 PM
We have too many taxes and useless laws as it is. If an animal attacks someone for no GOOD reason, put it down. I have a Rott that I do not even have to use a leash on. I trained him with voice command. My household has control of him.

by Donna	04/06/07 08:12 AM
Commissioner Blair is right its not so much of the breed of the dog but those who own and breed them.as a pet owner you have to be very careful where you acquire the pet from. and you need to check and make sure that there is no incestuous breeding.

by Jim	04/05/07 12:25 PM
I have two small house dogs they are older than 10 and not fixed, but now if i lived in your area I'd be fined! Sounds like a way to tax another group of people. Hey why not require all males over the age of 40 be fixed if you are a felon.

by Anne	04/05/07 11:55 AM
Are you kidding? I have a little 6 lb dog that is indoors all day, has no contact with others, and someone wants to punish me. He isn't going to, gasp, breed behind my back, or open the door and bite someone. Yes, some are irresponsible, not all.

by Lee	04/05/07 11:08 AM
So, likewise in order to reduce violent crime we should hand out and enforce condom use. Brilliant!!

by Jessica	04/05/07 10:51 AM
They should still pass this ordinance. The ONLY people who should have intact dogs are professional breeders who routinely show in competition. Maybe waive the fee if the dog is a champion. Need to stop backyard breeders puppymills!

by Mark	04/05/07 10:51 AM
There are too many homeless animals in shelters and on the streets. Something needs to be done to reduce the pet population. I agree the prof. breeders shouldn't be punished but most breeders are NOT professionals and are just adding to the problem.

by Kay	04/05/07 10:04 AM
My first dog, wasn't fixed and was the most gentle animal I've ever known. My second dog was not fixed until she was 3. I was told it would make her less high strung. It didn't. I regretted the un-necessary surgery. Why force surgery on a house dog?

by Kris	04/05/07 09:34 AM
Is it really because the dog is not fixed that it is biting? It has more to do with how the breed & how pet is treated by the owner. I do feel that cats should be included in this as well.There are too many stray cats wondering this county!

by MiMi	04/05/07 08:19 AM
Pet owners have liability insurance to cover their dogs. If an owner can't show proof or confiscate the dog.Owners who have dogs who haven't been fixed should pay a hefty fine and the county should fix the dog.People are more important than dogs.

by deborah	04/05/07 08:11 AM
If the County will pay for fixing the dogs for free, that would help with the stats of dog bites.... $150 for each dog is terrible, punish everybody for what a few dog owners lack of judgement...I think that is terrible. We are losing all rights.

by Lisa	04/05/07 07:25 AM
This legislation can't pass quick enough. We have an over population of animals and unless you're a registered and credible breeder there is no reason not to fix your animals. Owners who refuse to do so are irresponsible and inconsiderate.

by Lindsay	04/05/07 07:19 AM
I fully support this fine in response to the bigger problem-there are too many financial incentives for backyard breeders and low income families who see $1000 litters as a money making opportunity, then dump unwanted puppies at shelters.

by Ray	04/05/07 07:18 AM
The only way to stop the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats yearly from over population is a spay or neuter law. Nothing else will work. To put it on hold is a DUMB idea.

by Jackie	04/05/07 07:02 AM
I don't know the number of unregisted dogs in the county but I would bet its more than 50 percent, who looks into those dogs? Animal lovers spay and neuter thier dogs knowing its best for the dog and the community. These people are not animal lovers.

by darryl	04/05/07 06:56 AM
I think what the animal service is doing is a great idea.it should be done to cats also.I hope they do it here in stpete.where i live i have three cats.and i take care of five others that people have left behind.way to many neglected animals.

Unfixed dog fee idea put on hold

Commission wants Animal Services to explore alternatives.