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 Lake County
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 4. ANIMALS
 Article II. ANIMAL CONTROL

  § 4-34. Confinement of animal in vehicle.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    It is a violation of this section for any owner to place or confine an animal, or allow it to be placed or confined or to remain, in an unattended vehicle without sufficient ventilation or under conditions for a period of time as may reasonably be expected to endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of water or other circumstances as may reasonably be expected to cause suffering, debility or death.

    (b)

    Any Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer who finds an animal maintained in a vehicle in violation of this section may enter the vehicle by using the amount of force reasonably necessary to remove the animal, and the officer shall have no civil or criminal liability for his or her action pursuant to F.S. § 768.139. The officer removing the animal shall take the animal to, or arrange to have the animal delivered to, a veterinary facility or a shelter. The officer shall leave in a prominent place in or upon the vehicle a written note bearing the address of the facility or shelter where the animal may be claimed by the owner. The animal shall be surrendered to its owner if the owner claims the animal within one hundred twenty (120) hours from the time the animal was removed from the vehicle, and pays all reasonable charges and fees which have accrued for the impoundment, care of the animal, and penalty plus surcharge. The facility or shelter having custody of the animal shall make reasonable efforts to contact the owner and provide notice that the animal is in its custody and may be reclaimed by the owner upon payment of the reasonable charges and fees. If the owner fails to reclaim the animal within the specified time, the facility or shelter having custody of the animal shall provide for the animal to be adopted or humanely disposed of.

    (c)

    The recommended penalty for a violation of this section is a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

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