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Thursday, May 29
Wildlife Commission Regional Director Offends Advocacy Group
The Associated Press
Published: May 28, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A regional director for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said he may lose his job after he was accidentally recorded referring to a national advocacy group that promotes a way to manage feral cat populations as "crazies."
Dennis David apologized for his remarks and told The Florida Times-Union that he expects to be counseled or disciplined about the incident.
"I could be suspended or dismissed," he said.
David, a 29-year veteran of the commission and head of its 14-county Northeast Region based in Ocala, made the remarks last week after leaving a message on the telephone answering machine of Alley Cat Allies in Washington.
The seven-member commission began a three-day meeting Wednesday in Kissimmee. The final item on its agenda for Friday's session is a review and consideration of the commission's feral cat policy.
David called Alley Cat Allies to confirm that a representative of the group would speak at Friday's session. However, after leaving the message, David failed to disconnect his phone and continued a conversation with a man in his office, identified as Dwayne Carbonneau, a field biologist for the commission.
"Should I wear my uniform when I'm shooting these neighborhood cats?" Carbonneau asked.
"Only after we adopt this policy," David replied with a laugh.
Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies, said the recorded remarks raise questions about the commission's bias on the eve of a public debate about the feral cat policy.
Feral cats are the offspring of domesticated cats which have reverted to a wild state. Alley Cat Allies is one of the groups that advocate a trap-neuter-return program as a way to humanely achieve a long-term population reduction.
The commission is expected to vote on a plan Friday to prohibit the release, feeding or protection of cats. The commission says feral cats pose a danger to protected wildlife and are proposing a policy of eradicating them on public lands.
Alley Cat Allies has provided the commission with evidence that it believes proves trap-neuter-release programs reduce feral cat populations.
"We had already made the request that the commission postpone taking action on its proposed policy toward feral cats until after an unbiased scientific study is done," Robinson said.
"In light of these disparaging comments by two state government employees, we believe it is absolutely essential that an independent study untainted by preconceptions and based solely on science be conducted before the commission votes."
Commission executive director Kenneth Haddad said the remarks made by David and Carbonneau "do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions" of the commissioners or their staff.
Wildlife Commission Regional Director Offends Advocacy Group
The Associated Press
Published: May 28, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A regional director for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said he may lose his job after he was accidentally recorded referring to a national advocacy group that promotes a way to manage feral cat populations as "crazies."
Dennis David apologized for his remarks and told The Florida Times-Union that he expects to be counseled or disciplined about the incident.
"I could be suspended or dismissed," he said.
David, a 29-year veteran of the commission and head of its 14-county Northeast Region based in Ocala, made the remarks last week after leaving a message on the telephone answering machine of Alley Cat Allies in Washington.
The seven-member commission began a three-day meeting Wednesday in Kissimmee. The final item on its agenda for Friday's session is a review and consideration of the commission's feral cat policy.
David called Alley Cat Allies to confirm that a representative of the group would speak at Friday's session. However, after leaving the message, David failed to disconnect his phone and continued a conversation with a man in his office, identified as Dwayne Carbonneau, a field biologist for the commission.
"Should I wear my uniform when I'm shooting these neighborhood cats?" Carbonneau asked.
"Only after we adopt this policy," David replied with a laugh.
Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies, said the recorded remarks raise questions about the commission's bias on the eve of a public debate about the feral cat policy.
Feral cats are the offspring of domesticated cats which have reverted to a wild state. Alley Cat Allies is one of the groups that advocate a trap-neuter-return program as a way to humanely achieve a long-term population reduction.
The commission is expected to vote on a plan Friday to prohibit the release, feeding or protection of cats. The commission says feral cats pose a danger to protected wildlife and are proposing a policy of eradicating them on public lands.
Alley Cat Allies has provided the commission with evidence that it believes proves trap-neuter-release programs reduce feral cat populations.
"We had already made the request that the commission postpone taking action on its proposed policy toward feral cats until after an unbiased scientific study is done," Robinson said.
"In light of these disparaging comments by two state government employees, we believe it is absolutely essential that an independent study untainted by preconceptions and based solely on science be conducted before the commission votes."
Commission executive director Kenneth Haddad said the remarks made by David and Carbonneau "do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions" of the commissioners or their staff.
