§ 4-5. Administration and enforcement.

(a)

The county may employ personnel to carry out and assist in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(b)

It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to interfere with, obstruct, resist or oppose any officer while apprehending animals or performing any other duties, as set forth in this chapter. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to take or attempt to take any animal from any officer or from any vehicle used by the officer to transport any animal or to take or attempt to take any animal from a county animal shelter without proper authority.

(c)

For purposes of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter, including investigation of possible violation and for enforcing its provision, an officer or the county health officer, is empowered to enter, without authority of any court of competent jurisdiction, upon any private property, not including any dwelling or structure or curtilage thereof, to demand that the animal or, if applicable, the rabies certificate and/or tag of such animal be exhibited to said officer, provided the officer shall be empowered to enter into any curtilage of a dwelling or structure to investigate or impound any animal known or suspected of biting or scratching any person or any animal infected with or showing suspicious symptoms of rabies, or for any other circumstances needing immediate attention, which may affect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. The officers shall be immune from prosecution for reasonable, good faith entry upon private property, as provided in F.S. § 810.12.

(d)

The officers shall investigate complaints of alleged violations of this chapter.

(e)

The officers may cite the owner and catch, seize, or pick up:

(1)

Any animal at large;

(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 animal not properly confined or restrained;

(5)

Any animal not properly quarantined;

(6)

Any animal creating a nuisance;

(7)

Any female dog or cat in heat not properly confined;

(8)

Any dog, cat or ferret not vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian;

(9)

Any dog, cat or ferret not wearing a rabies tag;

(10)

Any animal otherwise in violation of this chapter.

(f)

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

(g)

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 the lawful demand by an officer.

(h)

The officers shall keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records and accounts of funds relating to the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(i)

The officers may declare an animal to be a dangerous animal, and shall order the owner to confine or restrain such animal as required by this chapter. officers may inspect the premises of the owner of such animal for compliance with the order of the animal control manager and the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2006-10, § 6, 3-28-06)