§ 10-4. Administration and enforcement.

(a)

The animal control authority shall be responsible for administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. The animal control authority may employ or appoint animal control officers to assist in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Such animal control officers shall successfully complete 40 hours of minimum standards training courses within one year after employment or appointment. Such courses shall include, but are not limited to, training for animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor and civil citations.

(b)

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to resist, obstruct, hinder or interfere with the animal control authority or an animal control officer in the administration or enforcement of this chapter.

(c)

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to remove, take, damage, destroy, tamper or interfere with any vehicle, equipment, tool or property of the animal control authority or an animal control officer in the administration or enforcement of this chapter.

(d)

The animal control authority and animal control officers may enter upon public property and unfenced or insecurely fenced private property, except residential dwellings, to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The animal control authority and animal control officers shall be immune from prosecution for reasonable, good faith trespass upon such private property, as provided by F.S. § 810.12.

(e)

The animal control authority and animal control officers shall investigate complaints of alleged violations of this chapter.

(f)

The animal control authority and animal control officers may catch, seize or pick up:

(1)

Any stray animal;

(2)

Any sick or injured animal, including any animal subject to cruelty, in need of immediate medical attention;

(3)

Any animal infected with or suspected of carrying rabies or any other infectious disease;

(4)

Any dangerous dog not confined in a proper enclosure;

(5)

Any animal not properly quarantined;

(6)

Any animal running at large;

(7)

Any animal causing a nuisance;

(8)

Any female dog or cat in heat not properly confined;

(9)

Any adult dog or cat not currently vaccinated against rabies;

(10)

Any adult dog or cat not wearing a valid license tag; and

(11)

Any animal otherwise in violation of this chapter.

(g)

The animal control authority and animal control officers shall impound any animal caught, seized or picked up pursuant to this chapter.

(h)

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to remove or take or to attempt to remove or take an animal from the custody of the animal control authority or an animal control officer.

(i)

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to refuse or fail to surrender an animal or the carcass of a dead animal upon lawful demand by the animal control authority or an animal control officer.

(j)

The animal control authority or his designee may classify a dog as a dangerous dog, as provided by F.S. § 767.12. Animal control officers may inspect the premises of the owner of such dangerous dog for compliance with the provisions of F.S. § 767.12 and this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1992-31, § 5, 12-15-92)