§ 4-40. Livestock at large or straying.

(a)

It is a violation of this section for the owner of livestock to intentionally, willfully, carelessly, or negligently suffer or permit livestock to run at large or stray on public or private property. Any livestock found at large or straying shall be impounded by an Animal Control Officer, or any other law enforcement officers of the county, or state highway patrol officers, and disposed of in accordance with the requirements of F.S. Ch. 588.

(b)

Lake County shall be entitled to the recovery of a fee, which fee shall be set by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, for the following services:

(1)

For the impoundment of each individual animal;

(2)

For the serving of any notice and making return thereon;

(3)

For the feed and care of impounded animals;

(4)

For advertising or posting of notices of sale of impounded animals;

(5)

For the sale or other disposition of impounded animals; and

(6)

For the report of sale of impounded animals.

(c)

Animal Services, upon making a sale or other lawful disposal, shall make a written return to the county finance department, with a full and accurate description of the livestock sold or disposed of, to whom the livestock was sold, and the sale price. At the time of making this report, Animal Services shall pay over to the finance department the entire proceeds of the sale. The finance department will pay all costs and fees allowed herein to Animal Services, and if there is any balance remaining, the balance shall be paid to the owner of the livestock, provided the owner makes satisfactory proof of ownership to the board of county commissioners within ninety (90) days from the date Animal Services reports the sale. If proof of ownership cannot be made within the time allowed, the finance department will pay the proceeds into the Lake County Animal Shelter Trust Fund. The finance department will keep a permanent record of all sales, disbursements, and distributions made under this section. If the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of the animal is insufficient to pay all fees, costs and expenses as provided in this section, the deficit shall be paid from the general fund.

(d)

The recommended penalty for a violation of this section is a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for the first offense and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for any repeat violation within five (5) years of a previous offense.

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