County commission drafts letter to support private fox pen

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission took action on Monday to support the operation of a private fox pen near SR 47.
The commission was addressed by Carl Cowan, a partner with James NesSmith in the ownership of a high fenced fox pen that was built in 1991.
Cowan told the county commission that as of December 31, 2009, all permitted fox pens in the State of Florida are closed.
Commissioner Kenrick Thomas told the commission that the owners of this fox pen are asking Gilchrist County to provide them with a letter of support involving their operation.
Cowan told the commission that the fox pen enclosure was built to give people that enjoy hunting with dogs an opportunity to exercise their animals in a confined area and to keep them from running on private property. He explained the owners of the pen have fox and coyotes inside the confined area for the dogs to chase.
Ed McAlpin, a resident of Gilchrist County and property owner adjacent to the fox pen, told the board that he enjoys listening to the dogs.
“The chase of the dogs barking is music to this Yankee’s ears,” McAlpin told the board.
Commissioner Tommy Langford made a motion to support the operation of the fox pen within the guidelines of the State of Florida.
Commissioner Sharon A. Langford agreed and gave a second to the motion. The board gave a unanimous vote in support of the action. Gilchrist County Attorney John McPherson will draft a letter and present it to the board in the January 19 meeting.
James NesSmith of Trenton was one of 12 individuals that was arrested involving an undercover operation identifying the illegal purchase and possession of fox and coyotes.
This arrest followed a 10-month operation by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in a statewide investigation to identify illegal purchase and confinement of fox and coyotes in a permitted confined enclosure.