Be a Responsible Pet Owner
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Irresponsible Pet Owners Can Pay
Hefty Prices There are lots of reasons why pet owners should be responsible and not allow their animals to become a danger or nuisance. Not only does such disregard violate good neighbor relations, but it violates the law. Animals and the community deserve better. Rules and fines are there to protect us all. Dogs: Dog owners must have physical control (leash) of their pet when it is off their personal property and not let the animal be "at-large." They must have their dog vaccinated against rabies and ensure it is wearing the County Rabies Tag when off their personal property. If a dog, when unprovoked, bites, attacks, endangers, or inflicts injury on a human, or a domestic animal, while on public or private property; or chases or approaches an individual upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, the owner can be fined up to $450. Additionally, the dog may be declared a "dangerous dog" which triggers the requirement for the owner to severely restrict the activities of the dog (see Dangerous Dogs restrictions below). NOTES: 1) At large means not on the owner's property, and not under restraint or the direct control, custody, charge or possession of the owner, or other responsible person. 2) Direct Control means immediate, continuous physical control of an animal at all times such as by means of a fence, leash, cord or chain of such strength to restrain the animal. 3) Florida Statute 767.01 states that dog owners are liable for any damage done by their dogs to a person or to any animal included in the definitions of "domestic animal" and "livestock" as provided by s. 585.01. Cats: Cat owners must have their cat vaccinated against rabies and registered with Animal Services. Unlike dogs, cats do not have to be under "direct control" when off the owners property. However, "outdoor cats" must be: 1) sterilized, 2) have a microchip implanted or wearing the County Rabies Tag; and only be allowed to be on someone else's property if that property owner does not object to the cat being on their property. If the cat is on someone else's property and the property owners files a complaint the cat owner can be cited and fined up to $100 on the first offense. Vicious Animals: An animal (that unprovoked) bites, attacks, endangers, or inflicts injury on a human, domestic animal, or livestock while on public or private property; or chase or approach an individual upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack. Maybe fined up to $450. Dogs that are declared "Dangerous Dogs:" 1) the dog must be sterilized within 30 days of being declared dangerous; 2) the owner must register for, and attend to completion, dog obedience training from an instructor approved by the department; 3) the owner must provide the department proof of a current health certificate for the dog issued by a veterinarian; 4) the dog must be micro-chipped and registered to the owner at his or her current address; 5) post an approved sign obtained from the department at intervals determined by the department and at all entrances to the property; 6) when outside its proper enclosure, dangerous dogs must be muzzled, restrained by a substantial chain or leash, and under control of a competent person; 7) the owner must provide access to property and the dog for no less than two inspections annually by the department to verify compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance and Chapter 767, Florida Statutes (2002); and 8) the owner must receive training provided by the department on responsible pet ownership of dangerous dogs. 9) the department may provide notification to neighbors and the public advising them of the presence of a declared dangerous dog. Photographs of the dog may be used in providing the public with internet access to dangerous dog information; and 10) the owner must pay an annual $500 fee to register the Dangerous Dog with Animal Services. 11) The dog may be confiscated for euthanasia if the owner failures to comply with these requirements. Notes: 1) If a dog previously declared "dangerous" attacks or bites a human being or a domestic animal without provocation, in accordance with section 767.13, Florida Statutes (2002), as may be amended, the owner is guilty of a criminal offense. 2) Any person who owns, harbors, or otherwise provides custody for a dangerous dog shall be responsible for any damage or injury caused by that dog, including, but not limited to, veterinary or medical bills or property damage. 3) A dog that causes "severe injury" will be euthanized in accordance with the requirement of Florida Statute 767.13. A "severe injury is any physical injury that results in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requiring sutures or reconstructive surgery. Fines: First Offense* Dogs, cats, and ferrets: up to $100 - No current rabies vaccination Dogs, cats, and ferrets: up to $ 50 - Not registered with Animal Services Dogs: up to $450 - Vicious, a dog or cat that when unprovoked has bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted injury on a human, or domestic animal while on public or private property; or has chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack. Dogs: up to $30 - Not wearing County rabies tag Dangerous Dog: Mandatory court Appearance - fines up to $500 Dogs: up to $100 - At-large Dogs: up to $50 - failure to remove feces from others property *subsequent offense fines are considerably higher. Reporting Pet Related Problems: You can file a complaint about a pet owner by virtually any communication method: Phone 813 744-5660; fax 813 744-5685; email at http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices/about/contactus.cfm; mail (see address below); and in person by coming to the Falkenburg shelter. We may issue a citation to a pet owner based on the witness testimony of the person complaining. You can file your compliant anonymously; however, if you do, we cannot issue a civil citation unless you are willing to come forward to testify in the County civil court or an Animal Control Officers witnesses the ordinance violation you are complaining about. If you choose to remain anonymous, the Department will likely send a notice to the pet owner describing the nature of the complaint and asking them to prevent it from reoccurring, if the complaint is true. Depending on the severity of the complaint/allegation, the Department may dispatch an Officer to the pet owner's home to discuss the issue. Please note, that due to budget cuts: 1) the Department no longer responds to barking dog complaints; 2) the Department no longer will sends an Officer out to trap a cat (you can trap stray cats and bring them to the shelter); and 3) the Department no longer removes small dead animals from County property. Animal Services Contact Information:
Bill Armstrong, Director |