Animal Services 2000 ~Information for Putnam County, FL

MUNICIPAL CODE
City of PALATKA

Codified through
Ord. No. 09-03, adopted Jan. 22, 2009.
(Supplement No. 10)

Chapter 14 ANIMALS
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=10225&sid=9

Sec. 14-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

At large means off the premises, and not controlled by the owner or his immediate family by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.

Barking dog means any dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or barks intermittently for one-half hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night, regardless of whether the dog is physically situated in or upon private property; however, a dog shall not be deemed a barking dog for the purposes of this subsection if, at any time the dog is barking or making any other noise, a person is trespassing or threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the dog is situated or for any other action which teased or provoked the dog.

Dangerous animal means any animal that according to the records of the animal control office:
(1) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;
(2) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property;
(3) Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is a dog trained for dog fighting; or
(4) Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the animal control office.

Domesticated animals means animals which are kept as pets, such as dogs and cats.

Harboring shall mean the act of keeping and caring for an animal or of providing premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter or care for a period of at least 48 hours.

Neglect shall mean failure to provide food, water, shelter, adequate ventilation, protection from the elements, or other care generally considered to be normal, usual and accepted for an animal's health and well being.

Owner means any person owning, keeping or harboring any animal or fowl.

Public nuisance animal means any domesticated or undomesticated animal which:
(1) Damages property.
(2) Is vicious.
(3) Molests passersby or vehicles.
(4) Attacks other animals.
(5) Causes an annoyance in the neighborhood by acts such as overturning garbage cans, defecating or urinating, or digging holes on other than its owner's property, barking or such other acts as are generally regarded to create a public nuisance.

Shelter shall mean provision of and access to a three-dimensional structure having a roof, walls and a floor, which is dry, sanitary, clean, weatherproof and made of durable material. At a minimum, the structure must be:
(1) Sufficient in size to allow each sheltered animal to stand up, turn around, lie down, and stretch comfortably;
(2) Designed to protect the sheltered animal from the adverse effects of the elements and provide access to shade from direct sunlight and regress from exposure to inclement weather conditions;
(3) Free of standing water, accumulated waste and debris, protect the sheltered animal from injury, and have adequate ventilation. For dogs and cats, provide a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat or similar device that is large enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner; and
(4) Properly lighted to provide a regular lighting cycle of either natural or artificial light corresponding to the natural period of daylight unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian.

Structures with wire, grid or slat floors which permit the animal's feet to pass through the openings, sag under the animal's weight or which otherwise do not protect the animal's feet or toes from injury are prohibited except for birds where perches are provided.

Truck tether system shall mean a system designed to keep a dog securely attached and restrained in the back of a truck, safe and free of hazard and away from the sides of the truck.

Undomesticated animals means horses, mules, cattle, goats, swine and other animals which are not domesticated.

Unprovoked shall mean that the victim was conducting himself or herself peacefully and lawfully.

Vicious dog means a dog which habitually attacks other dogs or animals or which has once bitten or otherwise physically attacked, without reasonable provocation, a human being; or any dog concerning which a sworn affidavit has been made by an adult that such dog has destroyed any property.

(Code 1981, § 5-1; Ord. No. 07-22, § 1, 11-15-2007)
Cross references: Definitions generally, § 1-2.