We, the undersigned concerned citizens of Brevard County, believe that every animal has a right to live its life free from abuse at the hands of humans. We believe that animals are sentient living beings that feel discomfort and pain, happiness and sorrow. To that end, this petition seeks support to redefine Brevard County Animal Ordinance Sec. 14-53, Cruel and Inhumane Treatment of Animals Prohibited, to treat animals as living beings deserving of appropriate care and NOT as property with no value.

Initially, this quest for change began with a red terrier mix named Pepper. Pepper was confined to live her life in a small rabbit hutch in south Brevard County, never enjoying the feeling of a blade of grass on her feet, rolling around to scratch her back, or socializing with people and other dogs. Instead, her owner left her to exist in squalor and filth of the small, hot enclosure, never being taken out for exercise, care, or affection. Pepper has been kept in this box for nine of her fourteen years. Current law says treatment of this dog is acceptable. We wholeheartedly disagree.

As more animal abuse cases began to come to light, the need for legislative change became even more necessary and now needs urgent reform. Just this year alone, Brevard County has been home to several horrific animal abuse cases:

In January, a Titusville woman was arrested for starving to death the horses in her care. When Animal Services arrived on scene, one horse was so severely starved and incapacitated, he’d been unable to get himself up off the ground since the night before. The horse was euthanized on the spot to end his suffering immediately. The other three extremely malnourished horses were taken by Animal Services where they continue their healing today.

At a home in Palm Bay, Florida, Animal Services confiscated 50 cats and dogs that were living in filthy deplorable conditions, in various stages of illness.

In February, a groomer in Satellite Beach so violently handled an 8-year-old German Shepherd service dog that her tail required amputation. In April, someone wrapped a small puppy in a bed sheet, tied it, and left him in the middle of a busy intersection to be killed by passing vehicles. In July, a young dog was confiscated from a Melbourne back yard where he had no shelter, no access to water, no food, and his severely malnourished body was covered in mange. Just recently, a Cocoa woman was caught on video, shoving a cruelly emaciated young dog into the trunk of her BMW after the shelter refused to take him in and refused to euthanize him. She claimed she couldn’t afford to feed him.

For these reasons and more, we ask that you sign this petition to support expanding the laws that define animal cruelty. We believe that animals are entitled to clean, sanitary shelter that protects them from harsh elements of our changing weather conditions such as rain, hail, extreme heat and cold. We believe that animals are entitled to clean drinking water at all times, that animals are entitled to an adequate supply of nutritional food to keep them healthy, and that they are entitled to environmentally controlled size appropriate enclosures in which to live comfortably. We believe that animals are entitled to medical care when they are sick or injured. We believe that animals should be transported in a way that keeps them safe from harm, and we believe no animal should be left unattended in any vehicle.

Your signature on this petition will let Brevard County Commissioners know that you are as serious as Sheriff Ivey regarding animal cruelty laws. Your signature is the one that will help to bring about change where it is desperately needed in Brevard County. Your signature will speak for those who have no voice, and we thank you