Workshop set to discuss PAWS

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County commissioners have determined there is enough public concern and questions about the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society that a workshop to discuss the agency’s practices is in order.

      The clerk of courts staff is conducting an audit of PAWS that is expected to be completed sometime in June. County commissioners decided Tuesday to schedule a workshop after the audit is finished.

      “I think the time might be right to give us a chance to build up some of the relationships that have been stressed recently,” Commissioner John Jannazo said.

      PAWS drew criticism earlier this year when commissioners voted to allow it to use rabies vaccination data from local veterinarians to collect an annual $10 pet licensing fee from dog and cat owners. After a backlash from residents, the commission voted in February to drop the fee.

      Commissioners were also presented a report Tuesday in response to questions after a Fort Walton Beach resident Gene Earley complained about PAWS in February.

      Earley asked the county to review its contract with the agency because he said the organization is operating outside of Florida laws governing animal control.

      County Attorney John Dowd wrote in the county’s response that PAWS is enforcing “all applicable Okaloosa County ordinances and Florida Statutes relating to animal control.” He also stated that state statutes are automatically effective once they are amended and take precedence over any county ordinances that might conflict with them.