§ 1-4-33. Quarantine of animals.

(a)

Any person bitten or having knowledge of any person bitten by any dog, cat or other animal shall report the fact immediately to the county health officer and the animal control department. The county health officer shall notify in writing the owner of the animal alleged to have bitten a person and the person bitten or his guardian concerning the reported bite.

(b)

The provisions of sections 64D-3.001 through 64D-3.010 and sections 64D-3.012 through 64D-3.014, Florida Administrative Code, as the same may be amended from time to time are hereby adopted by reference in this article.

(c)

It is a violation of this article for any person to commit an act, or cause an act to be committed, in violation of section 64D-3.001 through 64D-3.010 or sections 64D-3.012 through 64D-3.014, Florida Administrative Code, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(d)

If quarantine of a dog or cat cannot be maintained at the owner's home or at another location pursuant to section 64D-3.013(2), Florida Administrative Code, the dog or cat shall be quarantined at a county shelter or other holding facility. It is a violation of this article for the owner of a dog or cat to refuse or fail to maintain the dog or cat under rabies quarantine as required by section 64D-3.013(2), Florida Administrative Code, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(e)

The fees established by the board for impoundment and maintenance of animals shall be applied to quarantined animals. No animal quarantined pursuant to this article shall be released until all such fees have been paid.

(f)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, a vicious animal which has bitten, attacked, or caused injury to any person or domestic animal without provocation shall not be released but shall be humanely destroyed. Prior to the destruction of any such vicious animal, the owner shall be notified of the imminent destruction of the animal and the basis therefor, by hand delivery or regular mail, to the owner's last-known address. The date of destruction shall be included in the notice, and such destruction shall not be earlier than the eighth (8th) day following the mailing or hand delivery of such notice. Notice is prescribed by this article in order to give the owner of such animal time to apply to court of competent jurisdiction for any remedies which may be available.

(g)

The county health unit director or health authority, as defined in section 64D-3.001, Florida Administrative Code, shall keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records relating to reports and investigations of animal bites.

(Ord. No. 98-070, § 11, 12-1-98; Ord. No. 2012-023, § 1, 6-12-12)