areptileguy

Prior to last nights public hearing, the first information received
was that we were going to be fighting a ban. Then it was discovered that it
was "only" about cage setbacks for "livestock" and did not apply to
any of us and we should all stay home. What the commissioners did
not tell us, but the county attorney did, was that the county
definition of livestock includes ALL animals regulated by Florida
Fish and Wildlife Commission...that's exotics.

Then we were told to view a video of a work session the board held
in January to see what the TRUE agenda was. This is available online
via the county website. They clearly state that they want to regulate cage setbacks of "wild animals" as a "first step to having more control." Animal Control states FWC is not doing their job appropriately. AC and the county commissioners discussed and plan to get with Hillsborough County and see what they can come up with as far as addressing their concerns on a state
level w/FWC.

When the question was asked by the county commission whether or not
they have the authority to regulate, one response was "we can make
their lives miserable." This was an off-hand sarcastic comment
coming from one of the commissioners who was actually arguing that
it was too much government interference and that there had been NO
problems with exotics in Pinellas County, but this is EXACTLY what
their agenda is. If they cannot regulate us because it's FWC's
jurisdiction, then they will make our lives miserable by passing
zoning regulations that would make it impossible for some people to
comply. Very few new permits would be issued because many would not
meet the land and zoning requirements. If a cage were to come down
in a hurricane (we had 4 last year) in many cases it could not be
rebuilt according to the new setback zoning regulations and those
people would be SOL. They would be forced to give up their animal(s)
or move. In addition, if one wanted to build a second cage for
additional animals it most likely cannot be done.

Several exotic animal owners attended the hearing and spoke
to the board. In my opinion, the speeches were outstanding. They
confronted the commissioners with many excellent legitimate concerns
and questions. They stated facts and exposed many of the unwarranted
statements we have heard from a certain few individuals pursuing
this ordinance. Unfortunately, our opinions do not hold water to
whatever the county decides to do.

The county attorney did mention that all current permit holders will
be grandfathered regarding the zoning ordinance. However, the
commission signed off on a letter to the state FWC expressing their
concerns and one of the items they would like addressed is the
definition of "appropriate" neighborhood. One comment was made that
a facility could meet the state defined acreage and caging
requirements BUT if this facility happens to be located next to a
school, they do not feel this should be considered "appropriate".

Again, they want us to believe that this was "JUST" about cage set
backs for "livestock" ... they kept mentioning roosters during the
public meeting when just 3 hours earlier during their non public
meeting they CLEARLY verbalize EXOTIC animals such as tigers and
bringing up the tiger escape/shooting incident in South Florida not
too long ago as an example of why they feel these animals should
not be allowed in Pinellas County.

Bottom line is they passed the issue of setting cage setbacks
for "livestock" in this county. If you have a small lot, you are
screwed. It's a ban in disguise of what the county is calling
a "zoning" issue. On one of the tapes, they mention "it's a start"
to gain more control over "wild animals" in our community.... a few
words that confirm we have not seen the end of this........ I truly
believe Hillsborough County will be next to get involved in this
mess. Why can't they just leave it as is and let the FWC continue
to do their job? We are already regulated by them and many are also
regulated by USDA..... Is that too much to ask?