JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former volunteer dog walker for Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services settled with the city for a $75,000 price tag after dropping her lawsuit over a violation of her First Amendment rights.
The 36-page federal lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville was filed after Alison Franciscus was kicked out of the volunteer program.
In the fall of 2023, Franciscus posted pictures on social media to bring attention to the shelter’s conditions. She also spoke with news media about the questionable conditions.
“The kennels weren’t getting cleaned, so the dogs were sitting in their own excrement and urine,” Franciscus said. “A lot of them at that time had what they called raw paw at that time, where they were so upset at being in the kennel, their paws were bloodied.”
After Franciscus spoke out, she said ACPS Chief Michael Bricker removed her from the program and banned her from the shelter, prompting her to file a lawsuit against the city.
Franciscus said she believed the chief’s actions were a retaliation.
Her lawyer argued that her dismissal was a violation of her First Amendment rights to free speech.
Franciscus dropped the lawsuit and reached a settlement agreement with the city. ACPS was also required to disclose monthly euthanasia numbers on its website, along with specific reasons why the animals were put down.
If an animal is at risk of euthanasia to clear up space at the shelter, ACPS will now be required to reach out to other rescue organizations every week with information on that animal.
Also, 48 hours before an animal is to be put down to clear up space, ACPS would be required to advertise the animal on social media, with the hope that someone will adopt that animal before it’s put down.
News4JAX reached out to the city about the settlement, but didn’t immediately hear back.