§ 5-23. Animal control officer.

(a)

The animal control officer shall have full and complete authority in the enforcement of this article and may pick up or apprehend any animal under any circumstance which constitutes a violation of this article or state statute and impound the animal in the animal shelter.

(b)

The animal control officer may enter public or unfenced private property within the county to carry out the enforcement of this article or state statute.

(c)

The animal control officer may enter fenced private property, exclusive of buildings, when the animal being sought was at large immediately prior to the animal control agency or officer receiving a sworn complaint regarding a violation, but subsequently the animal returned to its owner's or custodian's fenced private property; provided, however, that an attempt to contact the owner or custodian, if known, was unsuccessful.

(d)

The animal control officer may enter fenced private property for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of Section 828.073, Florida Statutes, concerning the removal of neglected or mistreated animals.

(e)

The animal control officer may carry and utilize a humane chemical capture device to subdue and tranquilize an animal.

(f)

The animal control officer may issue citations and/or notices to appear in the county court for violations of this article when reasonable and probable cause exists that a violation has occurred.

(Ord. No. 92-25, § 3, 11-3-92)