Description
Hello, I am submitting this complaint related to Rio Vista Park in St. Petersburg. I live nearby and enjoy walking my dog through the park. Recently, there are gatherings every night of a dozen plus individuals with their dogs off leashes. It kills me to be that person, but its gotten to the point that residents and others who use the park cannot enjoy it without fear their child or dog will be put at risk. Personally, my fear is one the smaller dogs will confront mine, and what may result. This has happened several times and thankfully I was able to control my dog and avoid a negative situation.
I am sure these are good people and a warning may suffice at first, but we pay a premium to live near an open space that is no longer useful. Leash requirements are posted and politely asking that the dogs be leashed has been unsuccessful.
I kindly ask that you send someone to witness. If anyone were to visit any time around 6:30ish they will see what the situation has become. Several nights there are 30+ dogs roaming without supervision nor leashes. Again, my greatest fear is that my dog negatively reacts and harms another due to a lack of control on the other p
owner's behalf.
I am not submitting any PII here for fear of retaliation, but will reference 'rvp213452' in the event something negative occurs and action was not taken by the county or city.
Thank you
also asked...
A. dog at large
9 Comments
Pinellas County (Verified Official)
Debby Leniz (Registered User)
Debby Leniz (Registered User)
person (Registered User)
Pinellas County - Animal Services (Verified Official)
Closed Pinellas County - Animal Services (Verified Official)
In order to properly enforce this issue, we will need the exact address the suspected animal lives at along with a color and breed description of the animal. The first step in enforcing a public nuisance ordinance violation is to send a letter to the suspect. The letter will explain the ordinance and that if the violations continue, then they may receive citations in the future. If you continue to experience issues ten days after the letter is sent, then you can contact us again and we will dispatch an Animal Control Officer to investigate.
If citizens continue to experience discomfort from the violations, Animal Services can issue a $148 citation based upon at least two signed verified public nuisance affidavits for the same incident from unrelated people. Citizens that sign these statements must be willing to appear in court to testify if the citation is contested.
If the addresses to the suspected animals is unknown, a routine patrol of the park may be dispatched. Unfortunately Pinellas County Animal Services does not have staff to patrol parks at night.
If concerns inside the park arise it would be recommended to contact a park ranger or the St Pete Parks Department at (727) 893-7441. The City of St Pete has been notified about this issue.
Reopened An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
I don't know why anyone would expect more from this dumpster fire of an administration. The person who reported this should be expected to get the name and address of the individuals. That seems like a reasonable thing to ask.
Whomever reported initially, vote out Kriseman.
Closed St. Pete PROD integration (Verified Official)
For issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the City of St Petersburg, please use the St Petersburg SeeClickFix application with the following link:
https://seeclickfix.com/st-petersburg
Note that SCF is not used to report any law enforcement issues, those would need to be called in to the SPPD's non-emergency number 727-893-7780, or 911 for emergencies.