§ 10-13. Impoundment of animals, redemption by owners, and disposition of unclaimed animals.

(a)

Any at large or abandoned animal seized and impounded pursuant to this article may be impounded at an animal control center. After a period of confinement of five working days, those animals not claimed, may be disposed of by adoption or euthanasia; provided, however, that such animal may not be disposed of to any medical school, college, university, person, association, corporation or to any person providing, selling or supplying animals to any medical school, college, university, person, association or corporation or any other entity, for experimentation or vivisection purposes. An impounded animal may be released to its owner, or a duly authorized agent, upon presentation of proof of ownership, innoculation and licensing and after payment of impoundment fees and any per diem or other charge established by the board of county commissioners. The period of confinement shall be extended to seven working days for any cat or dog wearing a current county license tag and notice shall be mailed to the owner at the address shown on the license certificate at least three days prior to the disposition of the cat or dog. No period of confinement shall be required for animals abandoned with the provisions of section 705.19, Florida Statutes, and any and all amendments thereto.

(b)

Any seized or impounded animal manifesting symptoms of debilitating pain, injury or extreme neglect to such an extent that the animal is beyond reasonable hope of recovery, may be destroyed humanely in accordance with applicable provisions of the Laws of Florida, and without regard to the confinement period stated in subsection (a).

(c)

Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) above, any animal seized or impounded pursuant to the provisions of this article or as may otherwise be provided for under the Laws of Florida, shall not be disposed of by adoption or euthanasia until:

(1)

The owner has consented to, and authorized in writing, the disposition; or

(2)

Any judicial proceedings required under the Constitution and Laws of Florida have been concluded; or

(3)

The owner, subsequent to the impoundment of the animal, abandons the animal. An animal shall be considered abandoned under this provision if the owner fails to appear or respond in any judicial proceedings or if, for a period of more than ten days after written notice of intent to provide for the disposition of the animal, shall have been hand-delivered to the owner or mailed to his last known address, the owner fails to contact the animal control division in the manner required in such notice.

(d)

Reserved.

(e)

Fees and costs related to the redemption, adoption or humane disposition of any animal shall be established by resolution of the board of county commissioners. These fees and costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)

Impounding fees;

(2)

Per diem (board) fees;

(3)

Rabies inoculation fees;

(4)

Licensing fees; and

(5)

Adoption fees.

(f)

All costs and fees associated with the redemption, disposition or adoption of an animal shall be borne by the owner or adopter of the animal. Dogs and cats adopted under this article shall be subject to the sterilization requirements established pursuant to the Laws of Florida.

(g)

Nothing herein is intended to require judicial proceedings for the taking into custody and making disposition of at large or abandoned animals.

(Ord. No. 98-312, § B, 8-6-98)