- May 4, 2024
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Casanova, 32131078, is a 4-year-old, male cat available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Sam, 32158512, is a 1-year-old, male hound mix, available at Flagler Humane Society . Courtesyphoto
Charlie, 31579304, is a 7-year-old, male cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Molly is one of my guest pets of the week. Courtesy photo
Clyde, 32095983, is a 1-year-old, male boxer mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Jillian is my other special guest pet of the week. Courtesy photo
I am often asked, “Where do you get the ideas for your column? I am sorry to say, this past Saturday the idea rolled out of a golf cart and onto the road in front of me.
First, this was not in Flagler, it was on John Anderson Drive in Ormond-by-the-Sea. I was on my way to a 5K at 7:15 in the morning, headed north, toward Highbridge Road.
I first noticed the woman traveling south in the golf cart because she had two large dogs, one was tethered to the passenger side of the vehicle running by the back tire, trying to keep up. Just as I was thinking that was not a wise way to walk a dog, and considering how the lead could easily get tangled in the wheel, the woman made a sharp left turn onto a side street. The dog sitting inside the golf cart rolled out onto the pavement.
Before anything could be done, or said – she pulled the lead and the dog was back in the cart and she continued on.
This is one of those times where, yes, I wanted to give her a piece of my mind, but chasing down people is not a good idea these days. It was Saturday, no animal control, and doubtful the Volusia Sheriff’s office would respond, even if I knew where she lived. The tag was obstructed so I couldn’t even get that.
There aren’t laws for everything you shouldn’t do – nor should there be. But how sad, when a pet owner thinks so little of their animals as to endanger them in that way. Please, walk your dogs, watch out for them, and if you have them in a golf cart or an open vehicle – make sure they are secured.
A reader asked me about my statement last week, about it being against the law to leave an animal in a car in Florida. He was right, there is no law in Florida. A bill was proposed last August that would make it a misdemeanor to leave an animal in a car in Florida. Sadly, this law died in March. Let your representatives know, this is not acceptable.
Another bill to help not only animals, but children and vulnerable people, was passed in Tallahassee in March 2016. This bill grants civil immunity for damage to the vehicle for a person who, “enters a motor vehicle, by force or otherwise, for the purpose of removing a vulnerable person or domestic animals.”
Before you start smashing car windows, there are conditions. First you must call 9-1-1, use no more force than is reasonably necessary (i.e. check to see if the door is unlocked), and stay with the person or animal in a safe location near the vehicle, until law enforcement arrives. The rescuer also needs “reasonable belief, based upon the known circumstance, that entering the vehicle is necessary because the vulnerable person or domestic animal, is in imminent danger of suffering harm.”
Do not put yourself in danger. Perhaps the 9-1-1 dispatcher will ask for the plate number, but if not – give it to them when you call. That way if the owner comes back before the police arrive and takes the dog or person, the police can still find them.
Molly and Jillian oversee the Schreiber’s house in Palm Coast. Molly (white chest), was adopted from Halifax Humane Society more than five years ago. She is about 9 years old.
Molly was very sick and had to be taken to the emergency veterinary clinic, where she was diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, but her owner says she is on the mend.
In honor of the Olympic Games, Halifax Humane Society is offering the “Take Home a Champion” Adoption Promotion through Sunday, Aug. 7. All dogs over 35 pounds will have their adoption fee reduced by 50%. Animals adopted from HHS are spayed or neutered, have up to date vaccines, have been heart-worm tested, and are microchipped, included in the adoption cost.
