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Today is Wed, 15 Oct 2003
Today is Wed, 15 Oct 2003
A database that keeps track of exotic animals is a possibility in Hillsborough County Tuesday, October 14th
Are there any large felines in your neighborhood?
Aurora the tiger currently resides at the WildLife on East Street sanctuary in Tampa.
Believe it or not, the impressive feline was once the pet of a Bay area resident. Scott Lope, one of the managers at the sanctuary, says having a cat as large as Aurora as a pet is not as unusual as you might think.
"I think it would surprise some people to know that they have tigers or cougars living next door," Lope said.
Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
Click here to access their web site.
Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering ways to regulate wild and exotic pets in their communities. Bill Armstrong, Hillsborough's Animal Services Director says he's concerned about the danger that these animals can pose to their owners and neighbors.
Lope says more needs to be done to regulate the sale of exotic pets.
"We're dealing with a different level of potential danger in the community other than just your average dog or cat," Armstrong said.
Because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over setting rules for wildlife, he is exploring other ways to regulate exotic pets.
One possibility would require their owners to post signs. There could also be some tinkering of local zoning laws to regulate pet containers such as cages. The County Commission has been discussing the possibility of compiling a public database to keep track of exotic pets.
It would be a great way for emergency responders to locate areas where the animals live so they are no what they are getting themselves into before they respond to a call.
Lope says unfortunately is would be virtually impossible to keep track of all exotic pet owners in Hillsborough County. He does offer a solution suggesting that the county keep track of people who breed wild animals in order to sell them.
"The people putting these animals out there, the need to be held liable for the animals they create," Lope said. "The animals [usually] wind up in the wrong hands, unqualified hands."
Hillsborough is considering a number of proposals.
In any case, Lope and Armstrong agree that something needs to be done to keep just anyone from acquiring an exotic animal. When it comes to regulating such things as pet ownership, officials with animal services say it's a balancing act between the rights of the individual owner and public safety.
Armstrong is optimistic that the county can find a happy medium.
"It's going to be a challenge," he said. "We need to protect the privacy of [the owners] and at the same time look out for the welfare of all the citizens."
That's a notion that might even receive a roar of approval from Aurora.
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A database that keeps track of exotic animals is a possibility in Hillsborough County Tuesday, October 14th
Are there any large felines in your neighborhood?
Aurora the tiger currently resides at the WildLife on East Street sanctuary in Tampa.
Believe it or not, the impressive feline was once the pet of a Bay area resident. Scott Lope, one of the managers at the sanctuary, says having a cat as large as Aurora as a pet is not as unusual as you might think.
"I think it would surprise some people to know that they have tigers or cougars living next door," Lope said.
Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
Click here to access their web site.
Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering ways to regulate wild and exotic pets in their communities. Bill Armstrong, Hillsborough's Animal Services Director says he's concerned about the danger that these animals can pose to their owners and neighbors.
Lope says more needs to be done to regulate the sale of exotic pets.
"We're dealing with a different level of potential danger in the community other than just your average dog or cat," Armstrong said.
Because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over setting rules for wildlife, he is exploring other ways to regulate exotic pets.
One possibility would require their owners to post signs. There could also be some tinkering of local zoning laws to regulate pet containers such as cages. The County Commission has been discussing the possibility of compiling a public database to keep track of exotic pets.
It would be a great way for emergency responders to locate areas where the animals live so they are no what they are getting themselves into before they respond to a call.
Lope says unfortunately is would be virtually impossible to keep track of all exotic pet owners in Hillsborough County. He does offer a solution suggesting that the county keep track of people who breed wild animals in order to sell them.
"The people putting these animals out there, the need to be held liable for the animals they create," Lope said. "The animals [usually] wind up in the wrong hands, unqualified hands."
Hillsborough is considering a number of proposals.
In any case, Lope and Armstrong agree that something needs to be done to keep just anyone from acquiring an exotic animal. When it comes to regulating such things as pet ownership, officials with animal services say it's a balancing act between the rights of the individual owner and public safety.
Armstrong is optimistic that the county can find a happy medium.
"It's going to be a challenge," he said. "We need to protect the privacy of [the owners] and at the same time look out for the welfare of all the citizens."
That's a notion that might even receive a roar of approval from Aurora.
Story Synopsis
E-Mail to a friend
Watch On-line
High Speed|Dial-up
High Speed|Dial-up
Want to win tickets to the Rockettes' performance in Tampa? Click here to enter our contest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News from Beyond the Bay
Keep up with the latest national and international news from CNN.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$10 Off 1/2 Hr. Massage or $20 off any service over $55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bay News 9 en español 24-Hour Spanish News & Weather.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Bay News 9 Traffic Watcher! Click here to request more information.
©2003 Bay News 9
A Bright House Networks exclusive
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