To the displeasure of the Flagler Humane Society, the County Commission on Monday approved a revised animal ordinance that loosens tethering rules just a month after an earlier version of the ordinance would have all but banned the practice.
The revised ordinance had first been submitted to commissioners last month but was pulled back after objections from the American Kennel Club, an organization primarily concerned with the registration and showcasing of purebred dogs rather than with animal welfare. The club did not like ordinance requirements that water be continuously available for an animal, or that it could not be tethered. The administration relaxed those provisions accordingly in an unusual capitulation to a national organization despite local opposition.
“We did have an extended telephone conversation, item by item,” with the club, County Administrator Jerry Cameron said, “and reached consensus with them on what is being presented.”
Tethering has been an increasingly debated and controversial issue in such ordinances. Some local governments ban tethering almost outright, as Flagler was prepared to do a month ago. Some do not.
A month ago, Flagler’s amended ordinance would have required all dogs to be confined to their owner’s property. If the dog was outside, a tether could be used only if the owner was within sight at all times. No exceptions. Otherwise, “the unsupervised, unattended outdoor tethering of a dog is prohibited,” the ordinance read, “whether or not the dog is otherwise inside a fenced or enclosed outdoor area.”
The ordinance commissioners unanimously approved Monday does away with that language, replacing it with an allowance for tethering under certain circumstances. The owner must ensure that the tether will not cause injuries or death. Unattended dogs must have access to shelter from extreme temperatures and other weather elements, food and water, and a tethered dog “must be released from the tether and confined in an alternate manner for not less than ten continuous hours during each 24-hour period.”
The revised ordinance emphatically bans any kind of injurious tethering or the use of weights or harmful collars.
“The danger here is to not be willing to accept a 95 percent solution to these problems, looking for perfection and in the meantime we’ll have animals that will be treated poorly,” Commissioner Dave Sullivan said ahead of the vote. “There’s a lot of subjectivity to this, that we need to go forward with this to get it on the books, and over the years if we find there are problems with anything we’ve done, that can be changed.”
Amy Carotenuto, executive director of the Flagler Humane Society, wanted the commission to stick with the August version of the ordinance, at least regarding tethering.
“Twenty-three states have either completely outlawed the chaining of dogs or seriously restricted it, and hundreds of cities and counties across the nation have as well,” Carotenuto said. “Dogs are very social creatures just like you and I. Life on the end of a chain is lonely, boring, frustrating, torture. When dogs are bored they develop behavior problems, excess energy, can lead to obnoxious behaviors, dogs can even become aggressive.” Chained dogs are likelier to bite someone, she said, as they develop territorial instincts for the small bit of ground to which they’re confined. “This is how children get attacked a lot of times.”
In Flagler, animal control officers still see dogs on chains and consequent abuse: mistreatment, sporadic feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, lack of exercise and exposure to extreme temperatures. The tether becomes an indicator of neglectful tendencies on the part of the owner. Carotenuto showed examples of abuse locally in just the last month. She then offered a litany of cases she personally worked: “The chained dog who was kept near an empty family pool. The dog fell while the family was at the grocery store. They called me to pull his dangling body out of the pool. The chained dog who was kept in a fenced backyard yet was still chained. The dog jumped the fence. The chain caught on the fence. The dog died from hanging.” And so on.
County Attorney Al Hadeed had anticipated Carotenuto’s statement before she spoke, saying: “Whatever ordinance we have is applied through the professional training of the animal control officers and obviously the deputies that are trained in this realm. This is a significant improvement over the prior code revisions, it just had not been updated in quite a bit. This is essentially updating that, and we think this fairly at this point in time reflects the appropriate standards for animal care.”
But Carotenuto essentially said that that sort of thinking was 20 years out of date. She said 20 years ago the 12-foot rule for a tether would have been fine, “but we’ve grown so much since then, we’ve progressed since then, I think our community wants more.”
The county’s documentation included an American Kennel Club list of questions and answers on tethering, explaining why tethering is occasionally necessary: tethers accommodate “Owners who hike and camp with their dogs,” “Owners in residential developments with architectural and fencing restrictions,” “Disabled and blind owners,” even “Owners of escape-artist dogs.”
One of the few residents who addressed the board, a Palm Coast animal advocate, cited from what she described as an “article” titled “The truth about chained dogs.” Chained dogs, the resident read from the item, “‘kill as many children as do firearms, falls from trees, playground equipment and fireworks accidents all put together.’ These are statistics from the centers for disease control, so they’re not made up.”
As is often the case with information harvested from untethered Google searches, the information is very much made up. The “article” is in fact an undated blog post from a site that calls itself Pacc911.com, and that repeats a line that has appeared on various sites in various forms, always attributing the information to the CDC, always lacking an attribution link. One site that calls itself “Animal Law Source” went as far as claiming that the information was from a 2002 “study” by the CDC.
There is no such study. There are no CDC statistics that attribute deaths or even injuries to chained dogs. A report on the 5,480 children’s deaths due to unintentional injuries in 2017 (generated through this CDC page) doesn’t list “bites” of any kind in the top 18 causes of death, let alone bites by chained dogs. The CDC’s most recent Childhood Injury Report dates back to 2008. This much is true: bites account for 6 percent of all non-fatal injuries to children up to age 19. But the category is all-inclusive: it not only includes all sorts of bites, including those from rodents or snakes, but it also includes insect and other “stings.” An appendix in the report breaks out injuries from dog bites, but what that number shows is that the rate of injuries from dog bites is two and a half times lower than that of other bites or stings.
In other words the variously repeated claim that chained dogs “kill as many children as do firearms, falls from trees, playground equipment and fireworks accidents all put together” is not only false on its face, but would be false even by extrapolation, with the number of other bites and stings tacked on to dog bites padding whatever sensational results were sought to make a case against chaining dogs.
Flagler County’s Animal Ordinance:
Click to access 090916-flagler-animal-ordinance-backup.pdf
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
What is happening in our county, and what kind of people are running it?? Now it’s OK to sentence dogs to life on a chain, in unbearable Florida heat and with the certainty of getting heartworm through mosquito bites? This is outrageous.
elizabeth robinson says
Please send an email to the county commissioners stating your view!
TheTruth says
The AKC thinks it is ok to have dogs on a chain 24 hours a day, never any exercise day in and day out, that isn’t inhumane I don’t know what is. Then they feel the animal also isn’t required to have any water. There is something majorly wrong with this picture.
Any dog that is subject to living on a chain, needs to be constantly monitored by Animal Control Officers. This is a very cruel way to have to live day in and day out.
I agree with the Flagler Humane Society Director this law needs to be charged for the welfare of the animals.
Get with the times AKC and County Commissioner’s you are behind the times in your way of thinking.
Mary Fusco says
Sorry, I have had dogs my whole life starting when I was a child. I have had dogs my whole adult, married life which is over 50 years. Never, ever have I had one chained in a yard. I don’t see the purpose of having a dog if you are going to chain it up and throw it some food and water. Dogs want to be with their owners. I have a fenced in backyard and still would never leave my dogs outside. My only advice to anyone contemplating getting a dog, if you don’t want it to be part of your family, don’t bother. Chaining or confining an animal on a steady basis is cruel and it is frustrating for them.
Roger Jones says
Just another example of our elected Commissioners not abiding with the clear wishes their constituents. A second recent example is their approval of the Beachwalk Development and a third is their approval of the Hammock Harbor marina. All opposed by their constituents and all approved by the Commissioners. And they did all this is just two weeks. Imagine what they can accomplish between now and the end of their terms. We need to get active in the next election cycle and replace them with new elected officials that will vote in accordance with the wishes of the citizens they represent.
Robin says
I agree 100%. It’s a disgrace what the Flagler commission did and they should be ashamed of themselves. Hopefully everyone voting for this inhumane ordinance will be voted out. I wish they would be chained up for 14 hours a day for one week, in the heat, the rain, or the cold, just to experience it firsthand.
South Paw says
No dog in Flagler County should be tied out if left unattended. If you can’t properly secure your dog when home or not, and have to tie, tether straight jacket it or whatever, then you shouldn’t have one. I have three large dogs, with a fenced yard and never leave them unattended outside my house.
Kris Durrance says
I am sickened and angry at the decision the commissioners made. Tying up an animal is beyond inhumane. My god, what is wrong with you people? I cannot believe anyone with a beating heart would think this is acceptable. I pray that animal lovers get together and fight this commission and their barbaric evil ruling. I will remember your names when it is time to vote you in again. There is a special place in hell for people like you…. and I hope you all rot there.
Mike Cocchiola says
When in the hell are we going to support our local organizations and vote to support their expert recommendations? When are we going to show leadership on this commission?
maria says
Sooooo, I can get a ticket for my lawn being just a smidge higher then what you allow, or a trailer in the driveway for more then 48 hrs, but I can chain an animal outside in 100 degree weather or in a storm and all is good???? Who the hell are we allowing to make these laws?????
really says
Put the boneheads that passed this outside tethered in the heat for just one day and see how these no nothings like it.
maria says
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT!!!!
natalie norman says
Are you f n insane. This is abuse. How would you like to be chained (wherever) in (whatever) conditions for however long ? Where the hell is Flagler anyway ?
Jane Gentile-Youd says
What’s the difference in cruelty between leaving a human or any animal on a chain? None?
What about the dogs having the same right to run like hell like we do to protect ourselves from rattle snake, water moccasins, coral snakes, alligators ?
Is Al Hadeed or any of the commissioners going to check on these creatures of God? Health and Human services doesn’t protect abused children to the degree they should ! How does Happless Hadeed believe the doggie will be protected?
** Monday night’s accomplishments: giving Vousia County 80 feet of a 320 foot cancer causing cell tower ( commission originally happy with 150 feet high) we are paying off of well over a $millions, for a one time fee – located inside a county park with playground and jungle gym !
** Ignoring the Humane Society and approving an inhumane ordinance instead…
**Bowing to a developer who used a line of crap about building with septic tanks on tiny lots if they didn’t get permission to build on even tinier lots where they ‘promised’ to install sewer lines.
Monday nite commission meeting was one of the most depressing I’ve attended in years -( even the new hospital facility we need will be so far from south Flagler that one could die , on the way getting there from our neck of the woods ( and I hear they don’t pay property taxes either – so even more lost) but even I thought t was a great idea at first until I realized the 20 mile drive from us).
Very disappointing , very frustrating and very sad for Flagler’s doggies who just lost a wish bone…
CB from PC says
As others have commented, dogs are social animals who want to be with owners and family.
Never have we “tethered” a dog outside…and my wife and I have had dogs all our lives.
I think those who voted for this need to spend some time “tethered” on a line for 10 hours on a Summer day in Palm Coast.
Spartacus says
If I see a dog tethered or chained on ANYONES property, I WILL release the animal and free it. I don’t give a rat’s ass what the law says. The freaking LAW’S are all ass backwards anyways. And if you try and shoot me……I SHOOT BACK !!!!
Leslie Gomillion-Cushing says
I take exception with the statement in the article the “American Kennel Club, an organization primarily concerned with the registration and showcasing of purebred dogs rather than with animal welfare”. This is an exceptional organization that teaches and show love and welfare of all dogs. That is like saying an athletic organization is unconcerned about people as a whole. The AKC flourishes because of the love of dogs. The teach and guide dog owners to be the best dog owner one can be. That statement is quite disengious.
MarkingTheDays says
Let’s get a report of individual commission votes on this subject please.
Beth says
Vote these sick commissioners out of office !
Put them on a leash with no water!
Edith Campins says
Remember this when it comes time to vote and vote these incompetents out.
Concerned Citizen says
If you have to even think about putting your dog on a chain you don’t even need to own one.
Dogs are living breathing creatures. They have emotions. They experience joy and saddness, fear and anger. If you can’t spend the time properly caring for your dog then do the dog a favor and stay away from it.
Let’s put things in perspective. How would you feel being chained to a tree? With inadequate shade and minimal access to water? And after a time you’re running around in your own poop. Not very pleasant right?
We need to figure out who the asshats are that passed this stupid Ordinance. If they are elected officials vote them out. If they are appointed then lean on their bosses like you did to get rid of Craig Coffey.
Change is needed drastically in this County.
Willy Boy says
What was the impetus for this change? People opposed were present. [Some with sketchy documentation it would appear] Where were the people that influenced these heartless commissioners to change the ordinances already in place? So now the attitude is – -Commissioner Dave Sullivan said ahead of the vote. “There’s a lot of subjectivity to this, that we need to go forward with this to get it on the books, and over the years if we find put there are problems with anything we’ve done, that can be changed.” [Sic] – – The ole ‘trial and error method’. Brilliant!
Trailer Bob says
If you cannot afford to have a fenced in yard, at least partially, then please do not get a dog…period! We have two large protection dogs that are outside all day, running and playing and protecting our property. We treat them as family. Only a very sick person would agree to torturing these wonderful loving animals…Can’t wait to vote all of the commissioners who voted this insanely out of office.
Mary Fusco says
Trailer Bob, I would have to disagree a little bit with you. Being outdoors all day in this heat and humidity would be awful for any dog. Dogs like a nice afternoon nap where they don’t have to fight off bugs. LOL. Mine is laying right next to my feet as I type this giving me the “how much longer to dinner look”.
If someone is coming in the front door and they are in the back yard, there is nothing they can do to protect your property. Bottom line is that it is the absolute worst decision ever. Very sad.
Richard says
Stupid is as Stupid does. Both the AKC and Flagler County Commission are beyond hope. Time for MAJOR changes in both organizations.
Robert Gordon says
People who tether their dogs should not have dogs.
Vincent V says
Not only to the commissioners that passed this law but for ANYONE that leaves a dog on a chain to fend for itself, I can only hope that I or another compassionate human witnesses a dog being treated this way and takes it upon themselves to immediately improve the dog’s quality of life by approaching the owner, state why you are there, ask them politely to explain how they think that treating an animal this way is acceptable. If their response is, “it’s only a dog”, you will have to decide what your next course of action is going to be. I know how I will react and I will be looking. 🤬😤😡
Hammock Bear says
I now know the reason of the old saying, ” Vote them OUT” . The passage of this is stupid and barbaric.
palmcoaster says
I agree with Hammock bear above. My 11.5 years JRT rescue has neck scars and injury forever from being tie outside and also is afraid of the dark outdoors. No more cruelty at home with us.
jack howell says
Let me clear on this issue. The City of Palm Coast has been working on updating our ordinance for animal control. It is and will remain my position that the City of Palm Coast should NOT allow the tethering of animals within the city. Further, I don’t know why the County dialogued this issue with the American Kennel Club. The County should have been working with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). I intend to do everything within my power to stop tethering in this city! I ask the citizens of Palm Coast to support my efforts.
palmcoaster says
Green Flag to Animal Cruelty in Flagler County thanks to the County Commissioners.
Please Councilman Jack Howell do what we, the people that love dogs and Humane Society in Palm Coast wants, propose and vote to pass a anti tethering ordinance in our city.
Rick G says
This story is one of the most depressing items I have read all day… including those about our current President… No dog or any animal deserves to be tethered outside for any length of time.
deb says
What the hell is wrong with these commissioners , have they been left unattended in the heat prior to making these decisions. This position by them on pets is just wrong . The building on A1A, Capt BBQ, and Jungle hut is just wrong. Sounds like we have some mental issues within our commissioners . They are acting more like Trump every day. Time for voters to react.