Editorial
Animal Defenders of Polk County, FL
At the September 2nd Commission meeting, after animal advocates made their statements, Commissioner Rick Wilson said this:
“We’re not gonna make something happen here today or the next day…The Sheriff’s Office is in charge of Animal Control. So until the Sheriff or the Sheriff’s staff tells us that new ordinances are needed, or the changes needed in running a facility, this board will not take actions to regard those things…this board will not attempt to mandate anything to the Sheriff’s Office running of Animal Control. Period.”
Let’s be clear: that is not how Polk County government works. According to Polk County’s own published responsibilities:
•The Board of County Commissioners adopts ordinances and resolutions to establish public policy.
•The Board of County Commissioners creates committees and appoints members to serve on them.
The Sheriff does not decide what ordinances the BoCC may or may not consider.
The Sheriff enforces laws; he does not set policy. By deferring all responsibility to Sheriff Judd, the BoCC is abdicating its duty to the people of Polk County.
Citizens elect commissioners to represent their will, and the will of Polk County residents is clear: shelter reform.
It makes no sense to tell citizens to plead with a Sheriff who refuses to engage, while animals continue to suffer and die in our county shelter.
#polkcounty #shelter #animaladvocacy #cat #community #dog #florida #advocate #gradyjudd #tnvr
Shows who really ‘wears the pants’ in Polk.