VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County Animal Services says it’s aware of two dogs running loose in Ormond-By-The-Sea but adds the animals have not met state criteria to be deemed “dangerous.”
Responding to a News 6 inquiry, a spokesperson said in a statement that VCAS was heeding community concerns of two dogs running loose on Seacrest Drive and has “taken enforcement and monitoring steps in response” via increasing patrols in the neighborhood and obtaining affidavits from two residents “that support the issuance of multiple citations.”
“The owner received citations for failing to properly restrain the dogs on their property, failing to provide vaccination records, and failing to have the animals sterilized,” the statement reads, going on to clarify VCAS is bound by state law to verify that a dog meets the following criteria before being considered “dangerous” and potentially taken into custody:
- If the dog has aggressively bitten or attacked a person without provocation.
- If the dog caused severe injury.
- If the dog killed or seriously injured another animal off the owner’s property on more than one occasion.
- If the dog approached a person in a menacing manner that poses a threat to public safety.
“In the case of the incident in question, none of the State’s criteria have been met that would allow Volusia County Animal Services to legally take the dogs into custody or deem them dangerous,” the statement reads. “Animal Services has increased patrols in the area so officers can respond quickly if the dogs are observed running loose and will follow up to confirm whether the dogs have been vaccinated and sterilized, as required.”
Residents with concerns about potentially-dangerous animals were told to call Volusia County dispatch at 386-248-1777, yet were cautioned that anonymous tips “cannot be investigated or followed up on” in this regard.
We reported earlier this week about 16 known owners of “dangerous” dogs listed in unincorporated Volusia County ever since the start of a new state law increasing penalties for pet owners if their dog meets the aforementioned criteria. Those on the list must register their dogs every year.
The law came to be after the death of 8-year-old Michael Millet, who was mauled by two loose dogs in the DeLand area just over a year ago.
[MORE: Volusia County enforces new dangerous dog laws 1 year after fatal attack of boy]