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 Lake County
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 4. ANIMALS
 Article III. DANGEROUS DOGS AND ANIMALS

  § 4-60. Disposal of dangerous animals found at large.  

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  • When any dangerous animal is found at large anywhere within the county, whether licensed or otherwise, and whether owned or otherwise, the animal shall be taken into custody by an Animal Control Officer, or any other law enforcement officer, to be impounded at the Animal Shelter and disposed of as follows:

    (a)

    Where the animal bears no indicia of ownership, it shall be confined for at least seventy-two (72) hours. At the expiration of seventy-two (72) hours, if the Director determines that the animal is dangerous, and if no owner has appeared to claim the animal, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and euthanized.

    (b)

    Where the animal bears indicia of ownership, Animal Services shall notify the owner of the animal's impoundment by registered mail, return receipt requested, certified hand delivery, or service, in conformance with the provisions of F.S. Ch. 48, relating to service of process. The animal shall be confined by for at least one hundred twenty (120) hours. At the expiration of one hundred twenty (120) hours, if the Director determines that the animal is dangerous and if no one has appeared to claim the animal, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and Euthanized.

    (c)

    Where the animal is claimed in writing by its owner, the animal shall remain confined by at the Animal Shelter, or, at the owner's request and expense, at some other secure quarters subject to the sole discretion of the Director, pending a hearing. An owner may file a written request for a hearing to determine whether the animal is dangerous within seven (7) calendar days from the date of the animal's impoundment. The owner shall be responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required to humanely and safely keep the animal during this time. If the owner fails to timely file a written request for a hearing, Animal Services may deem the animal abandoned and may Euthanize the animal.

    (d)

    Upon timely receipt of the owner's written request for a hearing, the special master shall hold a hearing to decide if the animal is dangerous and impose penalties. The hearing shall be held as soon as possible, but not more than twenty-one (21) days. If the animal is found to be dangerous, the special master shall enter an order requiring that the dangerous animal be destroyed in a humane fashion or otherwise safely disposed of alive. All decisions of the special master shall be final and subject to review only by a court of competent jurisdiction upon petition of the owner.

    (e)

    The owner may file a written request for a hearing in the county court to appeal the order of the special master within ten (10) days from the date of the order. The destruction shall be stayed pending court review, but the owner shall be responsible for confining the animal in accordance with subsection 5-56(a)(2) pending a resolution of the appeal. All costs of impounding, boarding and veterinary care of the animal shall be paid by the owner prior to release of the animal.

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