The initial proposal had suggested a more significant reduction to a three-day hold. However, feedback from community meetings and concerns raised by animal advocates led council members to opt for a more moderate change. Critics of the initial proposal expressed worries that a shorter hold might hinder the reunion of pets with their owners. Despite these concerns, ACPS officials, including Chief Michael Bricker, supported the reduction, emphasizing the potential benefits in terms of reduced stress for the animals and quicker adoptions.

“Lessening the stray hold is going to save more animals’ lives,” Bricker stated during the council meeting. He pointed out that data shows a significant portion of dogs reunited with their owners are claimed within the first three days of arrival at the facility. Specifically, 80% of the 241 dogs returned to their owners were reclaimed in this timeframe, highlighting the effectiveness of a shorter holding period for untagged animals.

This ordinance reflects a strategic balance between the need for efficient animal care and the community’s concerns, setting a course for improved outcomes in animal welfare in Jacksonville.

“Lessening the stray hold is going to save more animals’ lives,” said ACPS Chief Michael Bricker at Tuesday’s meeting. “The dogs that we’re talking about are the dogs that are coming in without any identification at all. Through the data, Jacksonville data, 80% of the 241 dogs that came in that were returned to owner happened within the first three days.”

Prior to the ordinance passing, Councilman Raul Arias attended multiple community meetings with people both against and in support of a 3-day stray hold. He said it inspired him to propose a more gradual decrease in the stray hold period. Arias pointed out that neighboring St. Johns County also has a 5-day stray hold.

The meetings also brought more issues to the council’s attention, like shelter communications. As it stands, ACPS does not have a direct phone number, meaning people must call the generic city number to speak with shelter staff. This leads to calls not getting answered. Arias says that in the future, he wants to look into budgeting for dedicated staff to handle ACPS calls.

“This is a great start to the conversation. There’s a lot more to do,” Arias said.

The ordinance also simplifies rules surrounding tethering and sheltering. It removes specific measurement and weight requirements for chains and leaves more discretion for ACPS officers about what dog tethers and shelters are adequate. 

Chief Bricker said the old specifications made it hard to enforce.

“We would actually have to bring a scale out with us to weigh the dog plus the chain in order to get some resolution. With this new ordinance, we’re gonna be able to see that that chain is too heavy for that dog, and that tether is not correct, and we’re gonna be able to address that immediately.”

The ordinance used to specify that animal shelters had to have a level floor, three structurally sound walls and a solid roof, but it now more simply says the shelter must be “adequate … to protect animals from the weather, extreme temperature and direct sunlight.”

Some advocates previously told First Coast News they believe the vagueness could lead to trouble once it comes time to prosecute offenders.

“It seems more like taking out all the verbiage of the size and weight of chains and the type of shelter makes it pretty gray,” Vickie Nelson said.

The ordinance passed 17-1, with only Council Member Matt Carlucci voting no.