§ 10-10. Responsibility for animals.

(a)

The owner of an animal shall exercise reasonable care to protect humans, other animals and property from potential injury or damage caused by the behavior of such animal, whether such behavior results from mischievousness, playfulness or ferocity.

(b)

The owner of an animal shall exercise reasonable care to prevent such animal, while unattended, from leaving the premises of such owner by:

(1)

Confinement in a secure enclosure, fence or pen from which the animal cannot dig, climb, jump or escape and which is locked when the animal remains unattended;

(2)

Restraint by chain, cable and trolley, or other tether of sufficient strength to prevent escape; or

(3)

Leash and physical control of a person able to prevent escape.

(c)

The owner of an animal shall exercise reasonable care to maintain such animal off the premises of such owner by:

(1)

Confinement in a secure enclosure, fence or pen from which the animal cannot dig, climb, jump or escape;

(2)

Confinement in a vehicle from which the animal cannot climb, jump or escape; or

(3)

Maintaining physical control by keeping said animal secured at all times on a leash no more than eight feet in length.

(Ord. No. 1992-31, § 11, 12-15-92; Ord. No. 2000-49, § 1, 11-8-00)

State law reference

Liability of owners for damage of injury by dogs, F.S. § 767.01.