Commissioner Kanjian Hosts Public Meeting To Air Residents’ Concerns on Spay and Neuter Issues

	Listen to the audio Nov. 24, 2007

It started with a few e-mails after the Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 0 to direct the County’s Department of Animal Care & Control to prepare an ordinance requiring spay and neutering of pets in certain circumstances and also to regulate breeding of pets. From a few e-mails, it mushroomed into a major meeting.

The Board is attempting to address the problem of unwanted dogs and cats and the euthanasia of approximately 20,000 animals annually. Commissioner Kanjian hosted a meeting of concerned residents which filled the McEaddy Conference to capacity with some residents standing in the hallway while waiting to speak.

The Director of the County’s Animal Care & Control Department, Dianne Sauve, attended in addition to the Director of Public Safety Paul Milelli, Assistant County Administrator Vince Bonvento and Assistant County Attorney Shannon Fox. Also invited to attend the meeting was the incoming President of the Palm Beach County Veterinary Society, Dr. Jean Oberg, who commented on some of the health benefits to dogs and cats who are spayed or neutered.

The above audio track provides a recording of the more than three hours spent in this meeting.