What happened: Palm Beach County is looking at updating its animal care and control ordinance.
Background: Among the changes would be updating how dangerous dogs are investigated, classified and regulated to comply with recent changes in state law and it would require owners of dogs formally classified as dangerous to carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance. Another proposed change is increasing the annual permit fee for hobby breeders, which is now $150 a year to $400 per year.
And also require annual inspections for the renewal of hobby breeder permits. Several people spoke about the proposed changes at a Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control community meeting Wednesday night in West Palm Beach.
"Once a year home site inspections are a 30 minute inconvenience to stop the bad breeders I'm sure all of us can agree on we do not want around," said Melody, a member of South Florida Mutt Rescue. That should be a wake up call," said Stacy, owner of a pet-sitting business in Tequesta.
"Responsible breeding isn't the problem. Irresponsible breeding is and its consequences ripple through our entire community.
They affect families who purchase a puppy only to discover they brought home a genetic dumpster fire with health or behavioral problems they weren't prepared for," said Lacy, a professional pet groomer and owner of a mobile grooming business.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
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Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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