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Residents accuse county of moving dogs before safety fixes; commissioners say UF review occurred by Zoom
Summary
Residents and volunteers pressed the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on March 24, 2026 over the county’s decision to move dogs into a new Bishop facility before implementing some University of Florida recommendations; commissioners and staff said UF reviewed plans via Zoom and staff moved animals to avoid summer heat. The board is pursuing an in-person UF site visit and will publish results when available.
More than a half-dozen residents and volunteers told the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on March 24 that the county moved dogs from Palmetto to trailers at the Bishop site before required safety adjustments were completed.
"After waiting 10 years, we have been delivered a facility that will not meet our basic needs," Misty Evans said during the public-comment period, criticizing what she called a lack of planning and warning about kennel stress and staff safety.
Volunteer Kathy Bridwell told the board she had expected an on-site University of Florida review before animals were moved. "We were shocked there was no UF visit. It was a Zoom call as proven by this documentation," Bridwell said, and she urged the board to require UF’s listed recommendations be…
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