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Dog Dies During 2.5 Hour Wait For Animal Control Help
December 9, 2010
A dog died on a Century street Wednesday morning as an Escambia County deputy stood by, waiting over two hours for an animal control officer to arrive.
A NorthEscambia.com reader contacted us wanting to know why it took over two hours for the county’s animal control officer to respond. Here’s what we found.
A resident of Jefferson Avenue reported that the dog was loose and appeared to have been hit by a car at 6:24 a.m., according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dispatch logs. A deputy arrived on scene, located the pit bull and requested, per protocol, that Escambia County Animal Control respond.
The deputy requested an estimated time of arrival for the animal control officer, including at 8:32 a.m. Sheriff’s Office dispatchers were advised at that time that the animal control officer would arrive in another 45 minutes.
At 8:33 a.m., according to the dispatch logs, the deputy advised dispatchers that the dog was dead.
“The dog was picked up at nine,” according to Sonya Daniel, public information manager for Escambia County. She said animal control received the call from the Sheriff’s Office at 6:30 a.m. and it was relayed to the on-call officer — the only officer assigned to the Century area — by 7 a.m. The animal control officer removed the dog from the roadside at 9 a.m.
“It turns out that he had other calls with Century, and he prioritized these calls,” Daniel said. “He responded but he prioritized it.”
Comments
46 Responses to “Dog Dies During 2.5 Hour Wait For Animal Control Help”
Well, if people could still chain their dogs up within reason, maybe the dog wouldn’t have been out roaming. This new tether law that has been approved, these people who wanted it might out to go and fence every dog owners yard?
I must have grown up in a kinder and gentler south. We never killed our pets like some kind of trash or refuse. Sounds like from some of the bloggers, we have our own little “Aintry County” down here….I think I hear a banjo tuning up.
Well I must say for the record I dont know who’s dog this was. But I do know that our family was terrorized by a bulldog from jefferson ave that was hit by a car and died a couple of weeks ago. Not sure if it’s a coincidence.
Dogs up here (North end of the county) are allowed to run in other people yards and bite and threating. This dog I speak of had bit two people and animal control did nothing(mainly because the people were afraid to come forward). The dog has came after us, and other neighbors, in their on yards because he was allowed to run free when outside. There are good bulldogs but not all are because of irresponsible dog owners. My children couldn’t even play in their own yard because of this bulldog ( that lived across from us). I see a lot of people assume the best in the dog, but until you have been terrorized by a irresponsible dog owner maybe you don’t see the other side.
A leash law needs to be in effect at the North end of the county, but I was told most residents don’t want one. Sad really because everywhere I have lived since I left Century has had a leash law and it’s great! People can get out and enjoy their neighborhood without fear of being bit and mauled by someones dog. I guareentee if this dog would have mauled a child the comments would have been a heck of a lot different. And it was coming, with the dog I speak of, not that this was him. Just really a coinsidence, maybe?
oh and wharfrat? as for facts? I think the pound in Pcola put down over 12 THOUSAND animals lst year.. . 1000/month, 250/week, 50/day m-f. I’d say that’s an indicator of how we treat animals in God’s country.
Need more facts? Just drive around and LOOK….
wharfrat, I grew UP here… 54 years. And sara is right… we treat animals like so much trash. Throw them out when you’re done. Shoot ‘em if they get in the trash. Drop them off so and let the pound deal with them. But we don’t treat our kids any better so it doesn’t actually suprise me anymore.
Gosh Sara (from the north?), where do you get your “facts”? A lot of the bad drivers, and stupid people, you talk about came here from somewhere else.
Alot of these people let thier children run the streets. How can they take care of an animal. They should have neither.
WTG Maggie Shayne and JustMe
And how can you prosecute the owners when you don’t know who they are? The animals aren’t telling. That’s why we have animal control officers. County Commissioners should allocate more money for more officers – the commissioners should take a cut in pay to free up some money since undoubtly they aren’t doing their job.
The South has a reputation for abandoning and mistreatiing animals. There is a group from NY that comes down here to rescue animals. I think some of our overspent tax money should go toward providing free spading and neutering for low income people. This would probably pay for itself after the pet population is reduced. While I’m thinking of it there should be free birth control pills handed out also. Just nip it in the bud.
News Flash the people who called it in were the owners. They did nothing for their dog because they did not want a vet bill. They should never have a pet ever again.
There seems to be a lot of outrage against law enforcement and animal control. What about the people who are letting their animals run free? Aren’t there any leash laws here? Or why not put up a fence/kennel? Was it a stray or one of those dogs that people just let go by someone’s house because they think we want it?? Maybe it is time the owners take some responsibility for their animals.
Most animal violations take place in the wee hours of the morning (when people let their animals out of the house before they go to work), early evenings (again, after returning home from work), and then late at night when dogs bark and disturb the peace. Having animal control officers working during normal business hours is a waste of taxpayers money. There should be shifts, just like the police.
I agree with “Oversight on December 9th, 2010 5:54 am”. If the animal officer had other priority calls (such as aggressive dog running loose or livestock in the road), I can see him diverting to that… but they should release his shift notes. It is public record so they should tell us what exactly took priority. If he’s telling the truth, so be it. But if he’s lying and worse they’re covering for him, then heads should roll.
And it is ridiculous that a cop can sit on the side of the road for 2 hours doing NOTHING but God forbid he put the dog in the back of his car — or heck, even the trunk — and take it to a vet or the shelter. The police should review that policy. If cops can handle murderers and crackheads, I’m sure they can learn to muzzle an injured, dying dog and load it into their vehicle for transport.
And “Kristy Freeman on December 9th, 2010 6:48 am”, don’t be ridiculous. They didn’t let it lie there and die b/c it was a pit. And how can you breed quality pit bulls? All the pit bull lovers insist that “pit bull” is not a breed. Don’t get this story bogged down with pit nutter crap.
It’s a shame some animals are left up to their own discretion.. The owners of the pets are responsible. Dogs are like children. You cant just let them roam free. Poor dog.
.R.I.P.
Animal control Officers cannot EUTHANIZE it is against state law.
Vets and vet staff can or a law enforcement officer can for humane reasons.
Was it too much to ask for someone to report out there to EUTHANIZE the dog???? It was left to suffer for TWO HOURS?????? I don’t care HOW understaffted they are, something has to be done.
Now tell me again how mandatory s/n is infringing on your rights?? Find the owner, FINE HIM.. AND charge him for the deputy’s time as well as the AC officer’s time.
You know the ones here that are defending the Animal Control Officers I commend you. But no comment here that I can tell has been directed to the officers, its to Animal Control, which may I add, is an Escambia County Department, which may I add once again, is ran by the County Commisioners. So when one speaks out on here and says animal control is a joke, its not a slur towards the officers that actually do the job. Either do the job and do it well, or shut the department down.
One officer to cover the whole county at that time of day. Do the math it is not possible to get to everything. Maybe you should be asking where was the dogs OWNER. A higher priority is people in danger. I know for a fact that at that time of day animal control starts to cover the schools and bus stops to try and protect children. So yes I consider my kids a higher priority than a stray.
For those who want more AC officers—-are you willing to pay more in taxes to have them? If you care about an animal why let them run free where they can be hurt or killed. All those who fuss about AC officers getting a cup of coffee—have you ever done any thing like that while you were working. IF YOU WANT A FEEL GOOD FEELING VOLUNTEER SOME TIME AT THE POUND. I HAVE AND WHEN YOU SEE HOW SOME OF THE ANIMALS ARE WHEN THEY ARE BROUGHT IN WILL MAKE YOU SICK.
I feel so very, very sorry for this innocent animal as he lay dying on the street. He had to be wondering why these humans just stood there looking at him and not doing anything to help him. God gave us the responsibility for the creatures he created to love and provide for them. I guess it isn’t necessary to have to love them, but how can you not. My prayer today for everyone that reads this story today and my prayer everyday is to help your local shelters by adopting one of these precious animals. You do not know the joy and happiness these animals can give you, not to mention the unconditional and lifelong love. If you are not a pet person then find it in your heart to give financially or materially to be a part of the answer to keep these precious animals from being put to sleep simply because no one cares about them.
If a DYING dog (hit by car) is not a priority for Animal Control, then what is?
“I once called about a vicious dog that was coming in my yard”
You’ve got more compassion than I do. I’d have shot the damn animal and thrown its body in the trash can. Vicious dog? Problem solved!
I agree with yeller hammer. A deputy arrived on scene to a dog that was on the loose? Why is this a law enforcement matter??
I understand AC is understaffed and underpaid. I know they work a thankless, heartbreaking job. Perhaps better responses to calls to ease suffering would help people to appreciate them rather than bash them?
Since Dusty Clemens has taken over the “shelter” more animals are being euthanized faster. The response times are slower and the staff is more rude. It feels like the days of the old shelter when the staff was drowning kittens.
“Well,there is the old saying if you have a animal causing trouble for you…SHOOT ..SHOVEL…SHUTUP”
Sounds like you are related to the volunteer fireman who said he would take care of the three dogs that were found. I am glad there are some people with compassion in this old world. People who do not take the benevolence of others when they already have enough. Thank you animal control.
What a waste of tax payers money, this is the individual’s dog owners responsiblity’s.
Just a note to Dusty and all of his staff at animal control, thank you for what you do, you guys perform one of the most heart wrenching jobs there is with little or no thanks from the community, I know it is so hard to look into the eyes of these animals and to know that at least 95 % of them will have to be put down, I could not do it. Thank you again.
You people who are down on animal control need to go and work down there for a bit, some days the staff go home crying because of the way people treat THIER animals, they do everthing possible to help them during thier time of need and give comfort to them, they are not an aspca, they would love to do more but they only have so much money these animals fates are the OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY not animal controls. If it was a child who had been hit you would be wondering where are the parents? I love animals but, they are still considered property, so dont expect them to break the laws to satisfy your wants they have rules they have to adhere to also.
A friend of mine had his blood hound attacked by five mixed breed german shepards last week but animal control was not called. some of us on the northend know how to effectively take care of this problem. SHOOT SHOVEL AND SHIUTUP IS RIGHT
Once again, the one to blame is a dog owner. No matter what the breed there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Animal Control is overworked, under paid and the list goes on. When my son was bit by a neighbor’s dogs they were on top of things and helped get to the bottom of situation. During the investigation I paid several visits to their facility. If you have not spent any time there you do not realize how overworked they are. From what I saw they are compassionate and caring with the animals. There simply is not enough time or manpower to go around not to mention money. As we have all heard, there are budget cuts in every government agency. Animal Control is no exception. If you don’t intend to protect and take care of your animal, then perhaps you should not have one. Sadly the victim is the poor dog. The owner should be found and charged to the fullest extent of the law. I am not even sure what that would be. I do know that north of Well Line Rd. there is no leash law. There are those that think it is not needed out in the country but for the people and other animal’s protection it is. If it was required perhaps my son would not have been bit going to the bus. It may not always be the case but sometimes Animal Control’s hands are tied by budget restraints, laws, and yes even judges. Do your part to make their job easier. Fence your animals, keep them inside, and do the things that a loving pet owner should do to take care of them! No animal should be in the situation.
Sad for any animal to die like that. And good chance it was because of the breed, but also them needing more AC officers .
My family has owned a pit bull before, getting her when my son was only 3yrs old, and she was the best & sweetest loving dog we’ve ever had. It’s all in how they are raised; if they are in a loving home they can be one of the best type dogs to have for a family pet!
Seems like AC should have more officers that can be up in the north end. There have been countless times we’ve caught stray cats in have-a-heart traps sometimes 2 at a time, as people seem to think it’s ok to dump them off up here.
The animal controls main rule is:
If you give the animal food or water they will not pick it up~they will consider it yours once you give them anything.
I have called about 9-10am on more than one occasion to be told that they had already made their trip to the north end for the day or that they did not have time to pick more up because the driver had to be back to the office by 12, that it would be the following day or the day after that before they came back up and could pick it up. When I reminded the dispatcher of THIER rule, she said that was all she could do. I told her the cat/s were caged with no food or water and here she was telling me they could do nothing~ even when I told her how inhumane it was for the cat/s to not have food or water that long especially in the heat of the summer and I was not going to feed or water then be made to keep it/them (I already have my own pets)~ still did not change anything, it was nearly lunchtime the next day before they came!!! But, if it had been MY pet and I made it go even 12hrs with nothing in that heat they’d want to arrest me for it…but it’s ok for them???!!!
Something needs to change!
But, just so you know, I am not about to be that mean to any animal. I did give them food & water, just was sure to remove any evidence of it~and told them I didn’t!!!
Well,there is the old saying if you have a animal causing trouble for you…SHOOT ..SHOVEL…SHUTUP
What ever happened to the owner of the dog? Maybe it is their responsibility to see that the dog is not loose to be hit. Misplaced anger does nobody any good.
I know I am going to offend some bleeding heart but for the dogs sake would have been kinder to have just shot him.Not blaming officer I know his hands are tied.
I used to work in Century. The Animal Control officers are over worked. There are just not enough to go around. Where we lived was a constant dumping ground for unwanted pets. I saw the AC officers at least once a week. They have a lot of area to cover. Also, you wouldn’t believe the people that call AC just to get them to pick up pets belonging to neighbors because those people are just being mean to the neighbor.
Bull Crap! That’s what I think. If it had been any other breed of dog they would’ve been on top of it! I use to breed and sell quality pit bull puppies to families that were gonna love them and make them part of their family, it’s all how you raise them, mine were raised with my 2 boys around them constantly. Bad People give this Breed a bad name. Poor Dog.
The few times we have dealt with animal control, it has been laughable. We called once due to a angry dog in our yard and we were told it would take 1-2 days for them to get to our house?!? Another time we called concerning a cat that was tearing up stuff in the yard and would not leave, we were told we would have to catch the cat prior to them coming. Needless to say I don’t call them anymore!
I totally agree with JustMe….we in the northend deserve better..the animals up here are just as important as any other and when one is in trouble that should be the number one thing to take care not going to see what trouble you can make for others…….animals have feelings too…if one is hurt it should not have to lay and suffer that long even if it doesnt make at least it could have been picked up and took care of alot sooner and not suffered that long…..
I’d have to say that the officer didn’t start work till 8:00 a.m. (check the officer’s time sheets) and through a public records request check the logs (Animal Control’s Logs not the Sheriff’s Office) to see what “other priority animal control calls” were holding. I’ll go ahead and state the claim that there weren’t any other “priority calls” because if that was the case the officer would have already been called out – right? Therefore, the officer should have been quick to respond. Now take under consideration that the officer didn’t arrive until 9:00 a.m., sounds about right to me if one starts work at 8:00 a.m. Give time to stop off at the local Tom Thumb for a cup of coffee and that would be about right for a 9:00 a.m. arrival from somewhere down in Pensacola. I also think that the County Commission’s Public (mis) information officer is telling the whole truth in an attempt to white wash yet another screw-up by Animal Control. This is an area where the “new” county manager can prove his worth by fixing our county’s broken animal control department.
What a shame that this dog probably lived his whole life without love, adequate food, water or shelter and then died hurting and cold on the side of the road. A 2.5 hour wait for animal control is inexcusable. At least the deputy stayed with the dog.
How much do you want to bet that the Animal Control in Alabama is MORE USELESS. They will actually come out and see these animals freezing in people’s yards, with no shelter or anything, and just turn around and leave. I have witnessed it myself. On nights like these, people leaving their animals outside, and the Animal Control just shrugging their shoulders and walking off. If you ain’t going to take care of it, worst case scenario let it off the chain to be free to find shelter of it’s own, if you are not going to give it any. How would you like to be put out in the cold all night on nights like this with no where to go. What goes around comes around.
JustMe, the same for Alabama.
I once called about a vicious dog that was coming in my yard – I called for 2 days, leaving my name and number on the message machine until if was full. I finally called the local police and was told the woman who was the control officer had surgery and therefore it was shut down for 6 weeks. I asked who was doing her job in the meantime and they said no one…… Lame!!
They are underpaid and way understaffed………….
I would love to see the itinerary of his prioritized list. Bet it included a stop for breakfast for himself.
But you also get what you pay for and these folks make around $9.00 per hour, so figure it out!
And to top it all off, being a pit bull, the dog would have been euthanized by the animal shelter anyway had it survived.
It is just sad that the pup had to suffer…
HMMMMM!!!!!
Let’s See Which Is More Important A Beloved Pet That Has Been Badly Hurt And As A Result Died OR Collecting Another Dollar For There Pockets
Guess We Know That Answer .
What a bunch of hogwash. Animal Control in Escambia Florida is useless as can be. When have they ever done anything right. Need to start taking care of animals that need them instead of writing fines to animal owners who doesnt pen them up.