§ 14-45. Disposition of impounded animals.
(a)
The animal control authority shall attempt to identify and locate the owner of an animal impounded pursuant to this article. If the owner is identified and located, the animal control authority shall provide notice to the owner that the animal has been impounded and may be redeemed within five business days after receipt of the notice by certified mail or ten business days after the animal control authority mails the notice out by certified mail. Neither time periods shall include the first day of impoundment. In the event that the last day of impoundment falls on a day that the animal shelter is not open for business, the animal shall be held until the end of the following day that the animal shelter is open for business. Fees shall be assessed beginning on the first day of impoundment. For purposes of calculating fees, each day in which the animal spends any time in impoundment is counted as a full day.
(b)
An animal impounded pursuant to this article shall become the property of the county if:
(1)
The owner of such animal is not identified or located within five days after impoundment.
(2)
The owner of such animal is notified, but does not redeem the animal within the five-day redemption period when notice is received or after ten business days once notice by certified mail is sent;
(3)
The animal is feral and impoundment creates unusual risks to such animal or any person; or
(4)
A licensed veterinarian determines that the medical condition of the animal warrants humane destruction.
(c)
When an animal becomes the property of the county, the animal control authority may, without further notice to the former owner:
(1)
Transfer ownership of such animal to a humane society, humane agency, law enforcement agency, zoo or other person, institution, or agency, provided that such person, institution or agency agrees to record the name and address of the new owner upon subsequent transfer of ownership of the animal; or
(2)
Destroy such animal in a humane manner.
(d)
Redemption by owner.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the owner of any impounded animal may redeem the animal, upon payment to the county of the following:
a.
A transport fee for each animal redeemed, if applicable;
b.
A boarding fee per animal, per day;
c.
All outstanding fines and final judgments, except for any fine of which a timely appeal is pending;
d.
All veterinary charges, drug, and other medical expenses, including rabies vaccinations;
e.
The cost of an implanted and registered microchip; and
f.
The cost of an animal license and registration, if applicable.
At the request of the owner, the animal control authority shall provide an itemized list of charges.
(e)
For the purposes of controlling pet overpopulation and ensuring all animals adopted from the animal control authority are sterilized in an expeditious manner, the animal control authority shall be considered the legal owner of: all stray dogs that remain in the shelter five days after intake/impound (i.e., on the sixth day sterilization may take place) unless positive, traceable ownership may be indicated by a registered microchip, county tag or private id tag; and, all stray cats, excluding feral cats, upon intake/impound unless positive, traceable ownership may be indicated by a registered microchip, county tag, other form of traceable permanent identification, or private identification tag. The animal control authority is hereby authorized to perform sterilization procedures on any animal anytime after it becomes property of the county. Such ownership provisions shall not affect the holding periods established in subsection 14-44(f).
(f)
Conditions preventing redemption or adoption.
(1)
No animal that has been in recent contact with a rabid animal may be redeemed or adopted until the animal has been held for the prescribed period of observation.
(2)
No animal that is infected with, or is suspected of being infected with, any dangerous disease that is communicable to humans or other animals, as determined by a veterinarian, shall be redeemed or adopted, and may be expeditiously and humanely euthanized.
(3)
No dog previously classified as a dangerous dog may be adopted pending any appeal. The owner of such dog must be provided with proper written notice by registered mail, certified hand delivery, or service in conformance with the provisions of F.S. ch. 48, relating to service of process.
(4)
No animal prohibited by law from being kept as a household pet may be redeemed or adopted.
(5)
At the discretion of the animal control authority, an animal that is not subject to adoption or redemption may be medically treated and placed with a facility or agency equipped for care of such animal, or the animal may be humanely destroyed.
(6)
Nothing in this section shall prevent or limit the animal control authority from allowing redemption, adoption, or placement of any animal under quarantine or observation with rescues or qualified individuals when in the best interest of the animal.
(g)
After the applicable time periods established in subsections 14-44(f) and 14-45(b) have expired, or any applicable time period to appeal a final order has run, the animal control authority may, in its discretion, adopt, sterilize, place with an appropriately equipped facility or agency, and/or humanely dispose of an animal. No live unredeemed animal or voluntarily surrendered animal may be disposed of by selling or giving such animal to any person or entity for the purpose of using the animal for experimentation, for medical or other research, or for food or other commercial processing. Animals requiring extended care may be placed with foster homes so that they may become adoptable.
(h)
Any livestock, as defined in F.S. § 588.13, impounded pursuant to this article may be disposed of as provided by F.S. ch. 588.
(Ord. No. 93-05, § 1(4-6), 4-13-93; Ord. No. 93-11, § 1(4-6), 6-8-93; Ord. No. 94-24, § 1, 11-15-94; Ord. No. 98-01, § 5, 1-20-98; Ord. No. 2014-27, § 1, 9-16-14; Ord. No. 2018-02, § 1, 1-23-18)
State law reference
Euthanasia of dogs and cats, F.S. § 828.058.