BCC wants further changes to animal control amendment

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS -- The Walton Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to postpone a decision on amending part of the county-wide animal control ordinance.
After reviewing the current ordinance and hearing public comments, Commission Chairman Larry Jones asked to revisit the discussion at the April 22 scheduled meeting.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows said she would like to see a spay and neuter program implemented in the amendment.
"The problem is reproduction," she said. "It's not only about keeping the animal in the yard. We need to require spay and neutering because that's the crux of the problem."
Meadows also said she disagreed with part of the ordinance that requires leashes on cats, as did others, like Mossy Head resident Tom Terrell.
"If you own a cat, it's your pet," he said. "I don't care how much it costs to put a collar on it. A cat can be just as big of a nuisance as a dog."
The county's animal ordinance currently only pertains to dogs and cats.
Resident Bill Heart said there needs to be greater responsibility placed on animal owners.
"We need to maintain control from the source instead of taking care of a problem when it's a problem. This needs to go deeper by taking more responsibility and taking care of the animal.
"Theoretically, we don't need another facility for these animals. We need to break the cycle of these animals being picked up and put on death row."
Currently, Walton County helps financially support the Alaqua Animal Refuge in Portland and will begin bids in May for the construction of an animal shelter.