County Judge Scott F. Mitchell fined Cecelia Babillis $750 — $125 for each of six citations — after an Animal Control officer told him that Babillis followed through with a promise to move the three dogs that had terrorized her Magnolia Street neighbors. The maximum fine for each citation was $500, which could have cost Babillis $6,000.
Mitchell had warned Babillis, 20, to stay out of trouble after she was initially cited for violating city dog laws last year. More citations followed in March, including for skateboarding while being pulled by the dogs, which police deemed dangerous and ordered her to keep them on her property.
Babillis pleaded no contest in March to the handful of citations, while the others were dismissed. She and her mother, Suzanne Leviseur, promised Mitchell they would move the dogs within 10 days to a rescue facility in Arlington. They also promised to eventually move from the neighborhood.
Then last week, Atlantic Beach police arrested Babillis on charges of violating an injunction for protection granted to her next door neighbor — the accusation is verbal harassment — and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Animal Control officers also cited her for not providing them with the new address for the dogs, which city ordinance requires so the police can notify Jacksonville authorities about their presence.
The criminal charges were not mentioned during Tuesday’s hearing and did not factor into Mitchell’s decision. Babillis, released on her own recognizance after the arrest, faces arraignment next week on those charges.
As for the new citation, city attorney Alan Jensen said the dogs are now being boarded in the 2600 block of Kersey Drive West. A court date for that charge has not been set.
Mitchell commended Babillis for following through on her promise to move the dogs. He also warned her to stay out of trouble, which she agreed to do. When told her plans to muzzle the dogs and take them to the beach would violate the dangerous dog law, she said she would research the matter.
“I hope there’s not going to be any further problems out there,” Mitchell said.
Babillis’ attorney, Bob Willis, said she and her mother were dropping an appeal of the dangerous dog ruling.
(Jacksonville.com - May 14, 2013)
Earlier:
