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by the Animal Control Division and the County Attorney's <br />Office primarily to address the deficiencies of the current <br />ordinance used to handle dangerous and vicious dog problems. <br />This proposed amendment will streamline the process whereby <br />vicious dogs are identified by the Animal. Control Division <br />and owners of vicious dogs are required to take on <br />additional responsibilities for. these dogs. The amended <br />ordinance also provides for additional ownership <br />responsibilities for all pet owners and incorporates by <br />reference provisions of the Florida Statutes which pertain <br />to Animal Control. The amended ordinance further provides_ <br />for civil - penalties for violations of the ordinance and <br />provides that penalties for violations of specific sections <br />of the ordinance shall be established by resolution of the <br />Board of County Commissioners. <br />A Resolution setting penalties for violation of animal <br />control ordinance is also presented for adoption by the <br />Board. <br />SPB/sb <br />Assistant County Attorney Sharon Brennan explained that our <br />current ordinance is unwieldly and has the effect of giving dogs <br />two free bites. The County Attorney's Office and the Animal <br />Control Dept. have looked at ordinances from all over the state <br />and country and are proposing an ordinance modeled after one <br />passed in 1987 in Broward County. Instead of concentrating on <br />dog breeds, that ordinance has proved effective by defining <br />vicious dogs by their behavior and actions. <br />Chairman Eggert noted that there has been some concern about <br />the ability of an owner of a vicious dog to obtain the required <br />$100,000 liability insurance coverage, and Nate McCollum of the <br />Animal Control Department advised that they had polled 6 <br />insurance companies. Two said they would not carry such <br />insurance while four others said it would be on a case-by-case <br />basis. <br />Chairman Eggert was concerned about vicious dogs not having <br />to wear their vicious dog tags at dog shows in this county <br />because of the danger to children, but Commissioner Scurlock <br />understood they would have to be on a leash and under control of <br />the owner or the trainer. <br />Commissioner Wheeler questioned whether dogs that have been <br />labelled as vicious should even be allowed at local dog shows, <br />where children would be present, and Attorney Brennan explained <br />2 2 <br />FEB <br />2 0 1990- soot` << <br />