Latest news with #FloridaAdministrativeCode
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Can you shoot a wild animal on your property in Florida? What to know about wildlife, gun laws
Summertime in Florida means a lot of different things: Long afternoons spent on the beach, plenty of opportunities to swim in the state's natural springs, rivers and lakes and of course, keeping your head on a swivel when it comes to wildlife. Many of the critters in the Sunshine State, specifically reptiles, get a lot more active in the summer months. This time of year is when reports of alligators, iguanas and snakes turning up on residents' properties (and sometimes in their homes) ramps up. But just because you have an intruder on your property, it doesn't give you the freedom to just "take care of it" on your own. Here's a refresher on nuisance animals in Florida, firearm laws and what to know if you'd like to trap or kill a nuisance animal on your property. In general, you can't just shoot at any critters that intrude on your property because they're inconveniencing you. There are a lot of municipalities in Florida where you can't fire a gun at all at your home. And how you go about killing, trapping it or calling the FWC depends on what kind of animal it is. Whereas Floridians are encouraged to trap and humanely kill invasive animals, like iguanas or pythons, others are protected and/or require hunting permits to kill. Even if you're trying to kill or trap an invasive species, there are still rules around how to go about it. "It is important to remember that all of Florida's native species contribute to balanced ecosystems. While an individual animal exhibiting behavior that conflicts with human expectations may be labeled as 'nuisance wildlife,' we must be careful not to apply this term to an entire species," the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says. "Permits are required for various wildlife removal activities. Nuisance wildlife, as defined in Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 68A-9.010, may be taken using live traps or snares, or, where allowed, firearms during daylight hours. All traps and snares must be inspected at least once every 24 hours." Before you shoot, check your local ordinances. There are some areas in Florida where you can't shoot a firearm unless you're at a licensed facility. And there is no place in the state where you can shoot a firearm in any public place or on the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street, according to state laws. In other words, if you see an iguana on the sidewalk — even though it's invasive — you can't shoot it there, unless you want to be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. , this applies to: 'Any person who knowingly discharges a firearm in any public place or on the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street, who knowingly discharges any firearm over the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street or over any occupied premises, or who recklessly or negligently discharges a firearm outdoors on any property used primarily as the site of a dwelling…' It doesn't apply to: 'A person lawfully defending life or property or performing official duties requiring the discharge of a firearm or to a person discharging a firearm on public roads or properties expressly approved for hunting by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or Florida Forest Service.' Can I shoot an iguana in my yard? What to know before you hunt Florida's 'baby dinosaurs' If you see a gator in your yard, you might be tempted to "take care of it" yourself, but you shouldn't. The state has a system for removing nuisance gators that end up in places they don't belong. Removing a gator from your yard isn't the same as calling a private critter control service or your community's animal control, though. You have to call the FWC. The FWC has a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program with a gator hotline. If there is a gator in your yard or pool, call the free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) will issue a permit to one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers, authorizing the removal of the gator. The state pays its contracted nuisance alligator trappers for each job they are called out to. Calling SNAP's toll-free number and having a trapper come to your home won't cost you anything. Alligator mating season: Can I shoot a gator in my yard? Florida wildlife laws to know An alligator is deemed a nuisance if it: Is at least four feet long. If the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property. If it is smaller than four feet and winds up in places that are not acceptable, like swimming pools or garages, and must be removed. "You should never handle an alligator, even a small one, because alligator bites can result in serious infection and it's illegal. If there's an alligator under four feet in your swimming pool, on your porch or in a similar situation, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline," the FWC's website says. Even if the animal you're trying to remove is considered a nuisance, there are still rules around how to handle certain critters. On its website, the FWC reminds Floridians that the discharge of a firearm may be prohibited in some cities and residential areas. Check with your local law enforcement before you fire a gun in your yard (see state statutes above). "A permit issued by FWC regional offices is required to use steel traps to take destructive mammals (excluding species prohibited by the FWC). A Gun and Light at Night Permit and a hunting license are required to use a firearm and a light at night to take nuisance beaver, bobcat, fox, opossum, rabbit, raccoon or skunk that are causing destruction of crops and/or livestock," the FWC says. "A Gun and Light at Night Permit is not required to take wild hog, coyote, armadillo, black or Norway rat or house mouse." Here's a few animals that : Black bears Deer Bats – Except that bats may be taken either when: That take is incidental to the use of an exclusion device, a device which allows escape from and blocks re-entry into a roost site located within a structure (including chemical repellants), at any time from August 15 to April 15 or That take is incidental to permanent repairs which prohibit the egress of bats from a roost site located within a structure provided an exclusion device as described in sub-subparagraph a. above is used for a minimum of four consecutive days/nights for which the low temperature is forecasted by the U.S. National Weather Service to remain above 50° F prior to repairs and during the time-period specified. The following birds: All birds listed in 50 C.F.R. §10.13 as protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act unless the take is authorized by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service by a permit or depredation order. Bobwhite quail Wild turkey If there is an animal intruding on your property and you're unsure about how to make sure it's trapped in accordance with state laws, contact your FWC regional office. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida gun laws and dangerous or invasive animals: What to know about
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former Santa Rosa County School District Administrator Kelly Short arrested for grand theft
A seven-month Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation has resulted in the arrest of former Santa Rosa County School District administrator Kelly Short, who is accused of stealing just under $3,500 from a fund she was given access to as treasurer of the Santa Rosa County Association of School Administration. Short was taken into custody Monday on a single third-degree felony charge of theft of less than $5,000. The investigation began Aug. 14, 2024 after the School District presented the results of an independent financial audit of the SRCASA's account, a news release from FDLE said. Short's responsibilities as the SRCASA treasurer included collecting members' dues, purchasing awards and gifts, writing checks for payments and reimbursements, and maintaining the annual SRCASA account reports. "Short wrote eight checks to herself from the SRCASA account and she added the SRCASA bank account to her personal Venmo to divert monies from the business account to her personal bank account," the release said. An affidavit summarizing the FDLE investigation established that the Venmo account had been created in July of 2022 and $750 paid into it by school district employees were transferred and deposited into Short's personal account. Investigators said that between March 25 of 2020 and Dec. 11 of 2023, Short reimbursed herself eight times from the SRCASA account for a total of $2,748. Many of the fraudulent reimbursements for which the FDLE found probable cause to charge Short had been previously uncovered in a School District internal investigation in which district officials had relied upon an independent agency for assistance. That investigation into possible educator misconduct was launched July 30 of last year and concluded that Short, who held the title of district director of in-service and instructional technology, had been stealing for at least two years. The internal investigation, released publicly in November, determined Short had committed three violations of Florida's Administrative Code, along with violations of School Board ethics and anti-fraud policies to include 10 actions constituting fraud. Short resigned from the School District rather than facing termination by the School Board at its Nov. 19 meeting. The resignation came on the same day Short received a letter from School Superintendent Karen Barber notifying her of the internal investigation findings. More: Santa Rosa School District employee 'engaged in financial improprieties' resigns "Your actions and inactions constitute immorality, misconduct in office, gross insubordination and willful neglect of duty as defined in the Florida Administrative Code," Barber wrote. In the same note the superintendent notified Short she had been placed on unpaid suspension pending the termination hearing. In a statement issued Tuesday, the School District thanked FDLE for its "diligent work." "We have fully cooperated throughout the process and remain committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability for all employees," the statement said. The FDLE findings indicate Short reimbursed herself in amounts of less than $1,000, and typically less than $500. The largest single fraudulent reimbursement unveiled by FDLE was $995. In that July 2023 instance, she sought and received payment by claiming she had made a partial payment in advance of a breakfast event. The Santa Rosa Education Foundation had in reality covered the entire $3,943 cost of the event. The scam was one the FDLE findings revealed Short had successfully attempted in the past. In September of 2022, the agency affidavit said, she had reimbursed herself $690 for a breakfast whose $2,010 tab had been covered by the Santa Rosa Education Foundation. When Short was originally placed on paid administrative leave, she was directed by the School District to make herself available during daily work hours so that investigators digging into her alleged misappropriations could call her in to speak with them. She waited a week, however, to respond to an Oct. 7 request to appear before the investigative team and forfeited her right to inquiry. "Your lack of communication during this period constitutes an abandonment of your position and a failure to participate in the due process opportunity provided," the internal investigators told Short. Both the internal investigation and the FDLE investigation alleged that Short had altered bookkeeping records or altered invoices to avoid detection. The internal investigation said that when confronted by irregularities Short had presented two years worth of altered bank statements to officers of the county's Association of School Administrators. The internal investigators also determined Short, as SRCASA treasurer, had provided a false report to the group's board regarding its end of year balance for fiscal year 2022-23. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa School District Administrator Kelly Short charged stealing
Miami Herald
07-02-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Miami plastic surgeon's bad injections caused a Brazilian butt lift death, state says
Another doctor associated with a West Miami-Dade plastic surgery office surgery center has been accused by the Florida Department of Health of causing a Brazilian butt lift patient's death. The department's administrative complaint presents a new problem for Dr. Fermin Morales, board certified by the American Board of Surgery since 2009. He's had his Florida license since June 2011. State complaints, discipline and Brazilian butt lift injury or death present nothing new for New Life Plastic Surgery, 8400 SW Eighth St., which lists Morales among its surgeons. He couldn't be reached for comment by phone. New Life Plastic Surgery said the doctor was in, put a Miami Herald reporter on hold for several minutes, then hung up. . Deadly surgery in a Doral strip mall? In addition to New Life, West Miami-Dade's Boutinic Aesthetics lists Morales. He's no longer listed among the doctors at Doral's Venus Cosmetic Institute/DASO Plastic Surgery, in a strip mall at 7902 NW 36th St. But that's where Morales was working on June 7, 2023, when a 40-year-old woman the complaint calls 'S.L.' came to Venus for a Brazilian butt lift. The formal name 'liposuction with gluteal fat grafting' provides a solid description of BBLs. Fat is sucked from the abdomen and back area and reinserted into the glutes, but not in the glute muscles. The complaint says Morales documented using ultrasound guidance when putting the fat into S.L.'s glutes 'to assure the fat was placed in the correct area.' But, the complaint said, Morales injected fat into S.L.'s glute muscles. S.L. died the next day. The autopsy performed three days later, the complaint said, 'found copious globules of lacerated fat throughout S.L.'s left and right superficial and deep gluteal muscles' and 'fat globules in blood' in left lung vessels.' Injecting fat into glute muscles violates Florida Administrative Code. New Life's doctors since 2019 Among current New Life surgeons, Dr. Naveed Nosrati's insurance paid $250,000 in a malpractice lawsuit after a pulmonary embolism killed a woman three days after a December 2022 abdominoplasty. Dr. Julio Clavijo-Alvarez was fined by the state for his drain placement after a BBL and pre-signing blank prescription forms. Dr. Christopher Dress was recently fined for post-tummy tuck inaction. New Life alumni include Oliver Simmons (BBL death at New Life) and Harry Intsiful (BBL injuries that nearly killed a New Life patient, $995,000 malpractice insurance payout). State records say New Life's president is Daniel Gonzalez and vice president is Reynier Lara.
