§ 91.020. Definitions.

When used in this chapter the following words shall mean:

Animal. Any living nonhuman creature.

Animal control officer. Any person employed or appointed by the city manager or his designated agent to enforce the provisions of this chapter and who is authorized to investigate, on public or private property, civil infractions relating to animal control or cruelty, and to issue citations as provided in this chapter.

Animal in distress. Any animal found abandoned, neglected, cruelly treated, injured, starving or wounded.

Animal shelter. The animal impound area located in the city or the county animal impound area.

At large. Off the premises of the owner and which is not under or in the control, custody, charge or possession of the owner, or other responsible person, by means of leash, chain, or effective voice command.

Citation. A written notice issued to a person by an officer that the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has violated this chapter. The citation shall contain:

(1)

The date and time of issuance.

(2)

The name and address of the person.

(3)

The date and time the violation occurred.

(4)

The facts constituting the probable cause.

(5)

The section of the chapter violated.

(6)

The name and authority of the officer.

(7)

Whether the violation is to be treated as a civil infraction or referred to the code enforcement board.

(8)

The procedure for the person to follow in order to pay the civil penalty or to contest the citation, if a civil infraction, or the date and time for appearance before the code enforcement board, if handled in that manner.

(9)

The applicable civil penalty if the person elects to contest a citation for a civil infraction.

(10)

The applicable civil penalty if the person elects not to contest a citation for a civil infraction.

(11)

A conspicuous statement that if the person fails to pay a civil penalty within the time allowed, or fails to appear in court or before the code enforcement board, as the case may be, to contest the citation, then he shall be deemed to have waived his right to contest the citation and that, in such case, judgment may be entered against the person for an amount up to the maximum civil penalty, or the code enforcement board may take such action as it deems appropriate.

City. The incorporated areas of the city as amended from time to time.

Code enforcement board. That body created by Chapter 35 of the Fruitland Park Code of Ordinances.

Effective voice command. "Voice control" over the animal by any person authorized to be in possession of the animal, whose voice commands are effective at all times to prevent the animal from disturbing the peace, comfort, property, safety and general welfare of any other person.

Licensed veterinarian. Any veterinarian licensed to practice in the state.

Livestock. All animals of the equine, bovine, or swine class including goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, cattle, ostriches, and other grazing animals.

May is permissive.

Officer. Any law enforcement officer defined in F.S. § 943.10, any veterinarian defined in F.S. § 474.202, or any animal control officer.

Owner. Any person owning, keeping, possessing, boarding, controlling, or harboring any animal for more than three days.

Rabies susceptible. All warm blooded animals which are capable of contracting rabies and which are domestic by nature, or domesticated or tamed.

Shall is mandatory.

Vicious animal. Any animal which has, for any motive other than for self defense, caused bodily harm to humans or other animals, or any animals exhibiting extreme aggressive or threatening behavior.

(Ord. 95-008, passed 9-14-95)