§ 4-26. Unlawful interference with Animal Control Officer.

(a)

It is a violation of this section for any person to:

(1)

Interfere with, hinder, resist, obstruct, molest or threaten bodily injury to any Animal Control Officer in the legal performance of his or her duties, or take or attempt to take an animal from any Animal Control Officer or agent from any vehicle used by him or her to transport the animal;

(2)

Knowingly mislead, give false information, or provide a false report or statement to any Animal Control Officer or agent;

(3)

Take or attempt to take any animal from the Animal Shelter without proper authority; or

(4)

Knowingly remove, without authorization, an animal from a trap placed by an Animal Control Officer or agent; or, without authorization, to knowingly tamper with, damage, or relocate a trap placed by an Animal Control Officer or agent.

(b)

The recommended penalty for a violation of this section is a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). Any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a citation issued by an Animal Control Officer is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree pursuant to F.S. § 828.27(5).

(Ord. No. 2009-47, § 2, 9-1-09; Ord. No. 2017-16, § 2, 4-4-17; Ord. No. 2018-22, § 2, 5-8-18)