- Experts say the “animal rescue business is the wild, wild west” and its time to regulate.

There aren't many standards or regulations in the gray-area of dog rescue facilities. Experts say it’s time to regulate rescues and shelters.

An attack on a 71-year-old volunteer at 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida, an Oakland Park rescue, on Thursday may rekindle the discussion in a big way.

Michele Lazarow, a Hallandale Beach commissioner and animal rights activist, is against government monitoring and believes it is unnecessary. But this may be changing soon.

"As a legislator, I wouldn't design an entire policy based on one or two incidents." There has to be a major problem. This does not appear to be the case." "There are excellent, horrible, and ugly rescues," she explained.

Many rescues, according to Cherie Wachter, vice president of marketing for the Humane Society of Broward County, do a terrific job. It's unusual to have a volunteer killed. "You don't hear about circumstances like this," she explained. But critics disagree.

Deputies from the Broward Sheriff's Office were on the site of a fatal dog attack in Oakland Park on Thursday at the 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida. One of the rescue organization's volunteers was murdered, while another was injured.

An animal rescue center, an animal shelter, and an animal adoption facility are all different. An animal shelter is normally administered by the county or city and is bound by its rules, while an animal adoption center is inspected by the county and is bound by its rules.

If an animal rescue is functioning as a charitable organization in Florida, it must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, according to spokesperson Erin Moffet. According to people in the animal industry, there is no government control, regulation, or inspection beyond that.

She said, "It's the wild, wild west." "Animal rescue operations must be regulated." Nobody should ever die while rescuing animals. That's a case of carelessness."

Each facility is responsible for providing training to its employees and volunteers.

"Every rescue establishes their own standard operating procedures and protocols," said Deven Soto, a board member of Good Karma Pet Rescue in Pompano Beach, adding, "No one should get wounded if rules are followed."

Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation director Michelle Reichler said they don't always know the back story of the dogs they take in, so they're picky about who handles each dog. Dogs have been thrown over their fence, chained to their fence, placed in waste bags, and stuffed into bird cages, according to her. Furthermore, because people may lie about whether or not a dog was a fighting dog, neglected, or dangerous, the rescue is cautious about allowing volunteers to handle specific pets.

"If we know a dog is potentially hostile, we'll only handle it with our trained dog manager, special volunteers, and behaviorists," she explained.

According to a Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, Robb was working with the dog when it turned hostile. A second woman was present during the assault and attempted to assist. Her injuries were mild.

Dog rescue facilities are on the honor system when it comes to which canines they take and who manages those dogs since there isn't enough oversight. And it's not always easy to make the right decision.

"To be a responsible rescuer, you should only rescue the dogs you can responsibly care for," Soto explained, "and it's a fine line to not get in over your head when you rescue."