PAGE 2 - September 2, 2009
The Newscaster - Nature Coast News
Changes Slated for Citrus County
Pet Patrol
Animal Services assumed responsibility
1, the Citrus County Sheriff s Office has
Starting Tuesday, Sept.
for the field operations and enforcement elements of the county s Animal Services divi-
sion.
In an effort to combine resources, consolidate government and
provide more efficient and effective animal services to the commu-
nity, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy and members of his command staff worked
closely with county commissioners and key administrators to amend
the Citrus County Animal Services ordinance.
As a result of these changes, animal control officers (ACOs) will
now come under the umbrella of the Sheriff s Office. They will be
part of the agency s Patrol Special Operations, under the direction of
Capt. Mike Richie.
Sheriff
Animal control officers are authorized to investigate violations of
Jeff Dawsy
state and local laws relating to animal care, management or cruelty
“Joy” is a 2 yr old spayed female, Black &
either on public or private property. They also may issue citations for
Tan Coonhound. She is house broken and
these infractions.
crate trained. She is good with other dogs
Amendments to the county ordinance currently state that all dogs, cats and ferrets at
and okay with cats. She needs a big yard so
least four months of age or older must be registered with Animal Services and be issued a
she can get lots of exercise. Call 528-9888.
county animal license tag, unless exemptions apply. Additionally, these animals must have
Pita (left) is about a year old and was found as a stray kitten. She is very friendly and play-
a current and complete rabies vaccine certification.
ful and would LOVE to go to a home with cat friendly dogs. She doesn t mind other kitties
ACOs have the authority and are required to impound any animal that is in violation
but would be much happier if she could live with a dog also. She has been tested for feline
either of any section of the ordinance or is on the loose. The same applies if any animal is
leukemia/aids, been dewormed, has had all her shots, been spayed, and is on flea prevention.
seemingly infected with rabies.
If interested please contact her foster mom Tanya at smalls98789@gmail.com or 352-697-
Any person who has been bitten by a dog, cat of other animal or has knowledge of
5657.
someone being bitten is asked to report the incident to the Citrus County Health Department
as soon as possible. If the owner cannot properly keep the animal under acceptable rabies
officers to attend civic meetings and promote responsible pet care in an effort to control the
quarantine, then ACOs will remove the animal to the county s animal shelter for confine-
county s animal population.
ment.
All other animal-related services will remain with the Animal Services division now under
Investigating barking dogs or animals consistently at large in neighborhoods comes
the umbrella of the Citrus County Community Support Services Department, directed by
under the ACOs responsibilities concerning public nuisance animals.
Cathy Pearson.
Canines previously designated as dangerous dogs that attack or bite will immediately be
For instance, the division will continue to operate the animal shelter at 4030 S. Airport
impounded by ACOs and turned over to the proper authorities for evaluation.
Road in Inverness. Personnel will retain the responsibility of handling pet adoptions, pro-
To summarize, Sheriff s Office animal control officers will proactively investigate and
moting the need to spay and neuter pets, plus disposing of unadoptable, impounded animals
respond to complaints involving animals that are abused, dangerous or a nuisance to the
in a humane manner. New dangerous-dog classifications will remain an action by the coun-
citizens of Citrus County. They have the authority to remove these animals and issue cita-
ty staff. Inquiries about lost pets also should be directed to Animal Services at 726-7660.
tions for violations of the county s Animal Services ordinance.
According to Sheriff Dawsy, he has every reason to believe that this new assignment of
Normal operating hours for the Sheriff s Office ACOs will be from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.,
services will be a good way of doing business and better serve the citizens of Citrus County
seven days a week. Officers will be on call from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. for any emergencies
by managing the county s animal population more effectively and efficiently.
that may arise. Citizens need only call 911 to ask for assistance.
Animal control officers also will work closely with the agency s community resource
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