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AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE_ AMENDMENT OF ANIMAL_ CONTROL_ ORDINANCE <br />Asst. County Attorney Brennan made the following <br />presentation: <br />TO: Board of County Commissioners <br />FROM: Sharon P. Brennan - Assistant County Attorney tw? <br />DATE: January 17, 1990 <br />SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE, <br />Presented today for your consideration is a proposed amend- <br />ment to the Animal Control Ordinance initiated by the Animal <br />Control Division and the County Attorney's Office primarily <br />to address the deficiencies of the current ordinance used to <br />handle dangerous and vicious dog problems. This proposed <br />amendment will streamline the process whereby vicious dogs <br />are identified by the Animal Control Division and owners of <br />vicious dogs are required to take on additional responsibil- <br />ities for these dogs. The amended ordinance also provides <br />for additional ownership responsibilities for all pet owners <br />and incorporates by reference provisions of the Florida <br />Statutes which pertain to Animal Control. The amended <br />ordinance further provides for civil penalties for <br />violations of the ordinance and provides that penalties for <br />violations of specific sections of the ordinance shall be <br />established by resolution of the Board of . County <br />Commissioners. <br />Because ordinances regulating ownership of vicious dogs have <br />been challenged frequently in recent years, the Animal <br />Control Division and this office have been careful to <br />recommend procedures which are based upon the vicious dog's <br />behavior, rather than its breed. A great number of <br />ordinances were reviewed, and Animal Control Officer Deborah <br />House and I have met with a number of local veterinarians <br />and representatives of the Humane Society to -get their input <br />prior to making this recommendation to the Board. Because <br />of 'the increasing number of vicious dog attacks and <br />Inadequacy of our current ordinance, it is the hope of this <br />office and the animal control division that the Board will <br />give serious consideration to the adoption of an amended <br />ordinance. If the Board grants conceptual approval of this <br />ordinance, I will proceed to advertise for public hearing. <br />For the Board's Information, the Animal Control Division and <br />the County Attorney's Office have been successfully <br />prosecuting animal cruelty cases and have initiated an <br />animal care class, in conjunction with the Humane Society <br />and the State Attorney's Office, whereby County Judges have <br />ordered offenders to attend, In the same manner that traffic <br />violators attend traffic school. The program has been a <br />success and may be expanded into the adult education program <br />In the future. <br />SPB/sb <br />REQUEST BOARD APPROVE CONCEPT OF ADVERTISING THIS ORDINANCE <br />FOR A SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC HEARING. <br />51 r�00� <br />