County says hands tied in Fla. dog case

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Officials in Florida say there isn't much they can do about a fellow who created a new and very large breed of dog.

James Marinakis doesn't have a breeder's license since he isn't selling the mastiff-SharPei mix mutts he is raising on his farm outside Boca Raton, so Palm Beach County officials can't apply the rulebook to him, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported.

In addition, there has been no evidence of animal cruelty that would allow the county to shut down the operation.

"We can go out and we can address the fact that you have too many dogs in cages," said Dianne Suave, head of animal control in Palm Beach County. "But we can't address the issue of are you a breeder or are you not."

Critics say the new hybrid mutts are not being raised under the best of conditions and some female dogs have been over-bred.

Marinakis says he it trying to have his new breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.