FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Ria Brown, Lee County Animal Services
               (239) 432-2090 ext. 241

NORTH FORT MYERS ANIMAL CONTROL SWEEP RESULTS IN CITATIONS, IMPOUNDMENTS, AND EDUCATION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 21, 2004) - Lee County Animal Services and the Lee County Sheriff's Department conducted a special enforcement sweep in the Palmona Park and Suncoast Estates area of North Fort Myers this morning.

The sweep resulted in the following actions:

• 4 stray dogs impounded
• 3 stray cats impounded
• 3 dogs surrendered by owners
• 3 cats surrendered by owners
• 8 written warnings issued
• 13 citations issued
• 1 dog returned to owner in the field
• 1 DOA cat picked up

Lee County Animal Services is currently reviewing options available for the apprehension of feral cats and packs of dogs that could not be captured. These options may include, but are not limited to, trapping, netting, and chemical capture.

These sweeps are part of Animal Services' continuing process of enforcement and are scheduled periodically in various areas of the county. The sweeps involve using the available fleet of vehicles and staff of animal control officers to saturate an area for a couple of hours. Citations and written warnings are issued along with providing education about responsible pet ownership. Education is an important component of Animal Control, however due to the rise in violations occurring throughout Lee County, Animal Services has taken on a new initiative to issue citations immediately for serious violations of public health and welfare.

Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay and neuter programs, educational initiatives, rabies and bite case control programs, and humane euthanasia when appropriate. It employs 41 and has an annual operating budget of $3 million.