City muzzles dangerous animals
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

City Council members are responding to a recent dog attack by discussing amending certain sections of city code regarding dangerous animals. City staff recognized a weak link in the process that dog attacks, which are handled by Escambia County Animal Regulation and Control (ECARC), are not reported to Gulf Breeze Police Department.

"I think we as a city once we're notified by the hospital, that's going to give us a much greater ability to enforce the checks and balances," Beverly Zimmern, Council Member, said. "I think that piece of the puzzle is going to expedite the follow through of the whole process."

On Jan. 11, three dogs owned by Alec and Rhea Kessler of Deer Point allegedly attacked resident John McDaniel causing serious injury. Animal Control performed an investigation and deemed the dogs "dangerous," which, according to City Code means "any animal which shall bite or in any manner attack or attempt to attack any person or kill domestic animals."

Current Code states that the owner of a dangerous animal shall confine the animal in a building or secure enclosure. City officials are considering going a step further.

"The option we have is that if we have a dog that is classified in this manner then we can say we don't want it in a residential area," said Mayor Lane Gilchrist.

ECARC adopts state mandated regulations for animal control. Currently, if a dog is deemed dangerous, it must be contained at all times unless it is being walked, and then it must be controlled by a person at least 18 years of age and must wear a muzzle. It is up to a municipality to enact more stringent regulations as it sees fit.

"Presumably, (an attack) can't happen again. That's not to say it won't. That's the logic behind the statue, and there are a number of jurisdictions around the state that go the extra mile," said City Attorney Matt Dannheisser. Eddy explained that the "extra mile" should be reflected in City Code.

"The due process through which a dog it found to be dangerous as identified by the Animal Control officer in accordance with state law needs to be referenced by the Code," said City Manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy. Eddy added that the amendment would include that the City's Interlocal Agreement with ECARC could be changed to require the agency to notify GBPD immediately when an attack occurs.

There will be two public hearings on the amendment. Gilchrist said he has brought the change to Gulf Breeze Dog Lovers, Inc., the organization responsible for maintaining the new Gulf Breeze dog park as well as to the Deer Point Homeowners' Association.