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 is 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?

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