ANIMAL CONTROL

By WENDI ZONGKER
wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

Yulee — Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves will take over the troubled Animal Care and Control department effective April 1.

The Nassau County Commission Wednesday unanimously approved Seagraves' proposal, but did not discuss a a definite budget. Seagraves originally requested more than $900,000 to run the department and publicly rejected an offer of $680,000 from County Coordinator Edward Sealover.

County staff and Seagraves' staff have been directed to meet during the next two weeks to determine how the proposal can be implemented.

By WENDI ZONGKER
wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

YULEE — The Nassau County Veterinary Association Wednesday endorsed Sheriff Tommy Seagraves’ proposal and accompanying budget to take over the troubled Animal Care and Control Department.
Twelve of the fourteen association members met with Seagraves Tuesday night, Veterinarian Jim O'Brien said Wednesday. The Veterinary Association represents all but one Nassau County veterinarian, he said.
Seagraves wants more than $900,000 to run the department, a 70-percent increase in current animal control spending.
“We haven’t had an appropriate budget ever,” he said. “The old budget is a failing shelter. You don’t want to look back on a failing shelter.”
Seagraves’ proposal includes salaries for 17 employees, 11 more than currently work at Animal Control. Instead of only one animal control officer, Seagraves is calling for five, a number O’Brien said is reasonable for a county the size of Nassau.
The Veterinary Association also endorsed Seagraves' choice for director, David Flagler, former head of Jacksonville Animal Control.
“We felt the Sheriff was impressive as well as Mr. Flagler," O'Brien said. "We feel that [Seagraves] is concerned about animal welfare and, as veterinarians, we are very happy to hear what he has in mind, what his vision is for Animal Control.”
O’Brien said local veterinarians are willing to help with licensing animals, which he said would bring in additional revenue to Animal Control, as well with spay and neuter services.

At least a month's worth of depressing news about our County Animal Control have dominated our headlines.  With all the editorials, distressing reports, letters to the editor, etc. - wouldn't you think the County Animal Control employees would be fired that are the subject of the investigations and dreadful results ?  Why would they be shuffled back into the County personnel pool when they could be made to re-apply for county employment.  Then, others could apply for the positions and there would be a competitive process.  I believe Nassau County taxpayers deserve responsible, caring, trustworthy, honest, respectful employees who can think critically and  use good judgment in their decisions.