By BARRY FOSTER
News-Sun correspondent
SEBRING - It will be back to work for Highlands County commissioners Tuesday following a two-week hiatus. One item up for consideration will be an animal control measure - but it won't be the one based on recommendations made by the Animal Control Advisory Committee.
Instead, it will be a simple housekeeping measure that will clarify the ordinance dealing with livestock in Highlands County. The so called "cats and dogs" ordinance is slated for this month's night meeting, to be held Nov. 27.
Commissioners appointed a panel this past May to deal with the issue of impounded cats and dogs after hearing impassioned pleas from a number of local veterinarians and self-proclaimed animal rights advocates.
Among those appointed to serve on the board were Teri Ann Dosil, a representative of animal rescue groups; veterinarian representative Mark Griffin; local animal care professional Dana McPherson; Judy Speigel of the Humane Society of Highlands County; and Twyla Ostrowski, appointed as an at-large member.
Several areas of concern were addressed including licensing, more stringent fines, mandates for pet vaccinations, changes in the adoption system, euthanization policies and coordination of issues with concerned citizens groups.
After six months of deliberations, the committee came up with a half dozen recommendations that now have been incorporated into a proposed animal control ordinance.
The committee has suggested a licensure fee for animals. The recommended amount is $5 for spayed or neutered animals and $15 for animals that have not been altered.
Under the proposed new measure, owners who do not license their animals could be subject to fines under a civil citation program.
One of the major concerns brought forward was the hold time on cats and dogs, with at least one story of a pet owner who had arrived to retrieve their animal only to find it already had been euthanized. The committee recommendation would set the hold time at one week before pets would go into an adoption cycle.
County officials stressed that during the holding time, the county does not own the animal and simply would be holding it for redemption by its owner. After that period it might be adopted to a new home or given to a rescue facility. There was no time set for a euthanization order.
In an effort to increase the effectiveness of staff, committee members have recommended that volunteers now be permitted to assist at the animal control department. They also suggested the county look into the use of PetPoint software.
According to its website, the PetPoint program is offered free to organizations using the "24PetWatch" microchip and lost pet recovery program. Organizations using PetPoint and 24PetWatch also may take advantage of Pethealth's ShelterCare Insurance program, which is described as "the most widely used pet health insurance program within the shelter community."
Additionally, the committee has recommended pictures of animals to be released at least two days prior to the end of their hold time in an effort to facilitate the adoption process.
They also suggested an adoption application be made available on the animal control webpage. Reportedly that has been going on for nearly a near. The web page notifications have been supported by notifications on the Highlands County Facebook site.
For those not on the World Wide Web the committee recommended fliers be distributed to local veterinarians, grooming salons, feed stores, pets stores, area chambers of commerce and interested citizens to assist in the process.
An updated animal control ordinance that embodies and expands on many of the recommendations has been developed.
Friday, November 09, 2012 - www.newssun.com/110912-animal-control