§ 14-41. Administration.
(a)
The board shall designate an animal control authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this article.
(b)
The animal control authority may employ animal control officers to assist in the administration and enforcement of this article. Such animal control officers shall successfully complete a training program in accordance with F.S. § 828.27.
(c)
Animal control officers are not authorized to bear arms or make arrests.
(d)
The animal control authority shall investigate complaints of alleged violations of this article.
(e)
The animal control authority and its officers are hereby authorized to catch, seize, or pick up:
(1)
Any sick or injured animal, including any animal subject to cruelty or in need of immediate medical attention.
(2)
Any animal infected with, or suspected of carrying, rabies or any other infectious disease.
(3)
Any dangerous dog not properly confined or restrained.
(4)
Any animal not properly quarantined.
(5)
Any animal at large.
(6)
Any animal causing injury, or threat of injury, to any person by being at large, endangering or chasing persons, or by causing property damage to a person other than the owner of the animal.
(7)
Any female dog or cat in estrus (heat) not properly confined.
(f)
The animal control authority may impound any animal caught, seized, or picked up pursuant to this article.
(g)
The animal control authority may engage the services of a licensed veterinarian to treat any sick or injured animal, including any animal subject to cruel or inhumane treatment, or any animal infected with or suspected of carrying rabies, which animal has been impounded pursuant to this article. The owner of such animal shall be liable for payment of any and all fees, expenses, and/or fines assessed in connection with the capture, impoundment, sheltering; and/or treatment of the animal. The animal will not be released until the owner pays the amount owed or sets up a payment plan.
(h)
The animal control authority may declare a dog to be a dangerous dog, pursuant to the provisions of this article, and shall order the owner of such dog to confine or restrain such dog as required by this article. Officers shall routinely inspect the premises of the owner of such dog to determine compliance with any order of the animal control authority, special magistrate, or court of competent jurisdiction issued under this article or any other provisions of law.
(i)
The animal control authority shall conduct an ongoing public information campaign on the problems resulting from abandoning and neglecting animals, and the penalties under law for abandoning or neglecting animals.
(j)
The board shall designate the code enforcement special magistrate to hear cases and rule on matters within his or her jurisdiction as provided for in this article.
(Ord. No. 93-05, § 1(4-4), 4-13-93; Ord. No. 93-11, § 1(4-4), 6-8-93; Ord. No. 94-24, § 1, 11-15-94; Ord. No. 98-01, § 2, 1-20-98; Ord. No. 99-39, § 2, 5-25-99; Ord. No. 2014-27, § 1, 9-16-14; Ord. No. 2018-02, § 1, 1-23-18)